2014 Les Voiles de St Barth

SRM IV (J/125) took a 1st in a very competitive Spinnaker Class 1. This was the first time that SRM competed in the "Voiles de St. Barths". The "Voiles" was composed of four days of racing in St Barth's (French Caribbean). Race Days 1 and 2 presented light to moderate breeze. There was a layday on Thursday where the crew enjoyed an afternoon at "Nikki Beach". Race Days 3 & 4 arrived with 20-25 knots of wind with gusts to over 30. SRM IV displayed her fastest speed yet - downwind with an A3 spinnaker at 22+ knots with long blasts at 19-20 knots of boat speed. Yet, it was the upwind legs where the J/125 showed her differentiation from the class. With seas as high as 7', SRM took a pounding but held on to win with 6 points (2-2-1-1), as compared to the second place boat "Lazy Dog", a well sailed Melges 32 with 7 points (1-1-2-3). There were two races where all spinnaker classes were on the same course - encompassing 35 boats. SRM took a 3rd overall across these two races, beating all boats except two grand prix TP52s. This event is a definite for 2015.