After a two-year hiatus, Richard Mille has just announced the return of the Voiles de Saint Barth Richard Mille regatta — taking place over six days in the Caribbean Sea. This year’s 11th edition will see 700 sailors spread across 71 teams comprised of Maxis, Super Maxis, Multihulls, Spinnakers, and Melges 24s.
With the upcoming competition, Richard Mille revealed a new commemorative watch, the RM 032 Voiles de Saint Barth. The watch has been created to withstand depths of 300 meters and features Caribbean blue accents and white Quartz TPT. The watch has a full grade 5 titanium case middle and is flanked by lugs, inserts, and a case back all made in Carbon TPT. The 50mm skeletonized watch also packs a flyback chronograph function, an annual calendar, an indicateur de marche, and a half-turn locking crown.
Eagerly anticipated by everyone, the launch of the 11th Les Voiles de Saint Barth Richard Mille regatta on 17th April will signal the start of six captivating days in the Caribbean Sea. With patrons including world freediving champion Arnaud Jerald and the President of the International Maxi Association (IMA) Benoît de Froidmont, the 2022 edition also represents the third stage of the Caribbean Maxi Challenge, a new Caribbean competition open to all Maxis over 60 feet.
With just a few days to go before the event gets underway, the organisers are preparing to host an exceptional line-up. 700 sailors in 71 teams have registered for the race, with Maxis, Super Maxis, Multihulls, Spinnakers and Melges 24s all poised to jostle for a place on the podium. The overall winner – in the Maxi category – will be presented with a titanium RM 028 diving watch. Having been paused for two long years, Les Voiles de Saint Barth Richard Mille 2022 is certain to be a memorable and emotional event.
Involved in creating the regatta in 2010 and its title partner since 2019, Richard Mille will once again be present at the event, accompanied this year by the brand’s freediving partner Arnaud Jerald. The four-time world record holder and reigning world freediving champion is proud to be associated with this internationally renowned competition: “Our disciplines are synonymous with performance, humility, solidarity and surpassing oneself, and I am honoured to be a patron of this year’s Les Voiles de Saint Barth Richard Mille competition. I sailed when I was younger and I love the sensations, so I’m looking forward to picking up some valuable insights and talking to some true enthusiasts. Sailing and freediving are also sports in which experience is highly valued, so I expect to learn a lot from this event.”
Arnaud will be accompanied by Benoît de Froidmont, President of the IMA, which created the Caribbean Maxi Challenge. Luc Poupon and François Tolède, the organisers of Les Voiles de Saint Barth Richard Mille, are delighted and honoured to be joining this new competition: “Being selected by the IMA to be part of the Caribbean Maxi Challenge gives us fantastic recognition both in terms of the professionalism of our organisation at sea and the quality of our event on land.”
This 11th edition also provides the perfect opportunity for the brand to present its new RM 032 Voiles de Saint Barth timepiece, a highly technical creation that can withstand a pressure of 30 atmospheres (300 metres) in accordance with the ISO 6425 standard for diving watches. Worn by Arnaud Jerald in its titanium version, the Voiles de Saint Barth limited edition – of just 120 timepieces – is characterised by its two-tone combination of Caribbean blue and white Quartz TPT. The constant quest for optimal water-resistance and durability has led to the complete integration of these elements into a grade 5 titanium case middle. By contrast, the lugs, inserts and case back in Carbon TPT are combined with grade 5 titanium pushers that operate the chronograph and lock the rotating bezel – a complex construction that bears the seal of Les Voiles de Saint Barth Richard Mille on the back.
