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When sailing instructor Cindy Brin of the Saint-Barth Yacht Club and young sailor Thomas André set sail in the Transat Paprec, their Figaro Beneteau 3 Cap Saint-Barth will carry the spirit of St Barth, as the graphics on the sails include a pelican in full flight and an Amerindian warrior blowing on a conch shell.
The start of the race will be on April 20 in Concarneau, France, with the competing teams of two crossing the Atlantic in sailboats that are strictly identical. The only transatlantic race with identical boats, the Transat dates back to 1992, and is represents an incredible challenge to the talented men and women who participate in this grueling event. Since 2023, the race has required that 100% of the teams comprise a man and a woman.
Cap Saint-Barth will be recognizable from afar, with their large black sails and distinctive St Barth-inspired graphics of a pelican in full flight and an Amerindian warrior blowing on a conch shell. The result is a marriage of black, gold, and white, with the logo Cap Saint-Barth on the hull, the mainsail, and the spinnaker, with the word CAP in capital letters added to the logo of Saint Barth, as the Collectivity of Saint Barth is the principal sponsor for this project.
“Pay tribute to the identity of the island”
According to project coordinator Eric Péron: “All of these elements were selected to pay tribute to the identity of the island and to our deep connection with the ocean. They represent our local history, the spirit of adventure, and the energy of a team ready to give their all to succeed.” A golden pelican in full flight appears on the mainsail and the jib. Its silhouette represents the spirit of adventure and the quest for new horizons. A symbol of the island, the pelican is accompanied by another St Barth icon: on the back of the hull there is an Amerindian warrior with a lance in his hand, blowing on a conch shell in a nod to the statue at La Tourmente in Saint Barth.
This figure also appears on the spinnaker, when fully deployed. “Its proud posture, facing the horizon, symbolizes the spirit of exploration and the desire to push one’s limits, a powerful message for a racing team that strives for excellence at every step of the way,” notes Éric Péron. Guided by the pelican and the sound of the conch shell, Cindy and Thomas have every chance to arrive safely in Saint Barth.
