© Jouany Christophe

With the curtain set to rise on the eighth edition of Les Voiles de St. Barth in just over six weeks (10 – 15 April), no fewer than 57 boats are already signed up for the event. Among these will be an impressive and rather unique fleet of Volvo Ocean Race boats, including both VOR 60s and VOR 70s. It’s a scenario that comes with the promise of some incredible battles and a series of top-flight “races within the race.”

For this 2017 vintage of Les Voiles de St. Barth, eight teams in the fleet will be sailing on boats designed for the Volvo Ocean Race. Four are VOR 60s (boats used for the race between 1993 and 2002) and four are VOR 70s (used from 2005 to 2012).

Also expected are some fantastic “races within the race” among the 70 footers. Among the heavyweights racing off St. Barths will be SFS II, which is none other than the ex Puma, previously skippered by Ken Read during the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 and Groupama 4’s sistership, the winning boat in that particular VOR edition. She boasts a great power-to-weight ratio, and better still, she can count on Lionel Péan’s wealth of experience to push her to her limit, despite the stiff competition.

Trifork/L4 is another force to be reckoned with. Formerly Ericsson 4, the boat was built in 2008, the same year in which she set the 24-hour distance record (in crewed configuration aboard a monohull) after devouring 596.6 miles (a record which was only beaten six years later, in 2015, by Comanche with a distance of 618.01 miles). And it’s no accident that she won the Volvo in 2009 at the hands of Brazilian sailor Torben Grael. She’s sure to be a contender in St. Barthélemy again, too.

“This boat is perfectly fitted out and equipped,” said SFS II Skipper Lionel Péan. “In fact, she beat us two years ago in Palma. Her skipper is none other than the Dane, Jens Dolmer, who has an America’s Cup campaign to his credit, as well as a victory in the World Maxi Championships and two Volvo Ocean Races, the first on Ericsson 4 in 2008-2009 and the second on Team Brunel during the last edition. She’ll really be on her game.” Péan, who has the benefit of already being familiar with Les Voiles de St. Barth, having participated under the colours of SFS (formerly Green Dragon) last year, added: “To my mind, together with Warrior and Trifork / L4, we’re really going to have to work hard.”

The Mediterranean skipper also reckons the Monster Project led by Roman Guerra will be a cut above the rest. Indeed, this Russian boat (formerly known as Kostaka), participated in the 2008-2009 edition of the VOR. She may not be as efficient as her rivals, but since she was bought in January 2013 by Andrew Budgen and Fred Schywn from Project 1 Racing Team, she has been equipped with a new sail wardrobe and then thoroughly revised and optimised.

One thing is for sure, the results for Les Voiles de St. Barth 2017 will make very interesting reading.