Bonjour Everyone,
As you prepare for Turkey Day, I thought you would enjoy today’s Guest Blog written by 2016 Olympics contender John Casey. St. Barth Properties Sotheby’s International Realty is proud to be a sponsor of his catamaran. Thank you John!
As I enjoy the back porch view from Villa Les Mouettes, I now have time to casually reflect on this year’s edition of the St. Barth CataCup. The current version of the CataCup, which has become one of the premier regattas of the world, is sailed on 18 foot beach catamarans. Our St. Barth Properties Sotheby’s International Realty Sailing Team started three years ago, and we’ve watched this event grow from 35 entries to the maximum allowable 57 entries. This year the entry list was overfilled in just eight minutes after online entries were open! This is partially due to the quality of competition, but is undoubtedly due to the quality of St. Barth on and off the water. Some of my U.S. friends are, let me say, a little too spoiled by this regatta; it’s the only regatta they do every year! They just simply don’t feel the desire to sail anywhere else. I love sailing a bit more than that, but I see where they are coming from.
This year our Team was joined by more of the sport’s heavy hitters. There were multiple world champions, Olympic medalists and future Olympic hopefuls. I have many championships under my belt, but I’m also currently in the deep heat of an Olympic Campaign myself, so this year I teamed with our Canadian training Partner, Luke Ramsay, who actually went to The Games in 2012. As it turns out, our finish of 5th place of 57 wasn’t what we hoped for, but since we are a new team, we were happy with our competitiveness against the high level of competition. We had some podium finishes along the way, but also some setbacks that saw us held up in the pack.
Unlike any event I’ve been to around the world, I’ve been drawn to this island. What is it about this place? Is it how everything is impeccably clean? Is it the perfect sailing conditions around stunning rock faces and picturesque beaches? Is it the wonderful view from almost anywhere on this mountainous island? Or is it the easy feeling I get from the locals who have now become some of my best friends? YES, it is all of it…the perfect combination to keep me yearning for my return every year.
We were also lucky enough to enjoy the 25-year anniversary party this month where I saw how far St. Barth Properties has come. We really enjoyed their Beaujolais Nouveau party too. I’m so proud to be part of the Team!
-John Casey-
