• Patron of the 10th edition of Les Voiles de St. Barth
• First navigator to become a partner of the brand
• Wears an RM 60-01 Regatta Flyback Chronograph
Since the regatta’s launch in 2010, it has seen a parade of prestigious patrons associating their
names with the event: Patrick Demarchelier, Jimmy Buffett, Sir Peter Harrison, Jim Swartz, Jean
Todt and Gérard Saillant, Loïc Peyron, Ken Read, Lionel Péan and Alessandra Sublet. The figurehead
of this 10th edition will be Pierre Casiraghi, a decorated and passionate sailor as well as a member of
Monaco’s ruling family.
There is no doubt that the next edition of Les Voiles de St. Barth Richard Mille, which takes place
14 – 20 April 2019, will have a special flair. François Tolède, Luc Poupon and their team have naturally
worked hard to ensure that this anniversary edition of the event is above and beyond exceptional.
‘We look forward to making it a success despite the effects of Irma, which took its toll on the Antilles
in September 2017. We hope to welcome 80 crews, and we are optimistic about reaching this goal,
with some 50 pre registrations thus far, including a number of new boats,’ enthused the organisation’s
director, who is proud to have Pierre Casiraghi, Vice President of the Monaco Yacht Club and Richard
Mille partner, by his side.
A sailor brimming with daring and ideas
‘I couldn’t possibly have declined such an honour—to sail and spend time in Saint-Barth, while serving
as sponsor? I’ve heard a great deal about the island and the event, but I’ve never attended. It’s a
splendid opportunity and I can hardly wait! I will be sailing aboard the Maxi 72 Sorcha, participating
in the regattas all week. I certainly hope we do well,’ remarked the man in question, whose nautical
credentials are nothing to sneeze at. Pierre Casiraghi has a solid track record. He began his regatta
career in 2010 aboard Tuiga, the flagship sailing vessel of the Monaco Yacht Club (a 15M JI), and
earned his stripes in offshore racing beside the Italian Giovanni Soldini on board the Multi 70
Maserati. He has sailed the highly technical course of the GC32 tour, and, as part of the IMOCA
project, Malizia II, will line up this autumn for the start of the next Transat Jacques Vabre, together
with his friend Boris Herrmann.
Passionate about cutting-edge technologies
‘Technology provides new perspectives. It makes possible new records for speed and leads to new
approaches to navigation. It’s what rivets our attention on what’s happening and ensures we keep
challenging ourselves. The boats of today are not the same as those of 10 or 15 years ago. All this
keeps us on the ball, which is crucial in our discipline,’ observed Pierre Casiraghi, adding: ‘We are
lucky to be in a sport that is constantly evolving, like automobile racing, and that’s great. Each
generation gets to feel it is unique.’ This taste for risk, uncompromising standards and exceling
oneself are all qualities Pierre finds at Richard Mille. So it makes perfect sense that in Les Voiles de
St. Barth he wears the RM 60-01 Regatta, an automatic flyback chronograph developed for sailing the
seven seas.