St Barth will be hosting yet another major sailing event this December. The Bucket Regatta has just finished, and the bi-annual Transatlantic Ag2r race will take place in May. At the end of the year will be the first edition of the Transat Classique Lagassé, with the boats arriving in Saint Barth a few days before Christmas. This transatlantic race is open to classic sailing vessels built as one-of-a-kind or limited sailboats. They will set sail on August 17 from the port of Douarnenez in Finistere, France. After a stopover in Agadir, Morocco, they will set sail for St Barth on November 28. This is the only transatlantic race for classic sailboats. As of now, 31 boats are registered and another 64 have expressed interest. (Where, oh, where will all of these boats dock during the already full port of Gustavia around Christmas time?!) The race will have three winners, one in each of the following categories: Vintage, for boats built before 1975; Modern Classics for boats built with more modern materials such as welded steel, molded wood and polyester; and Neo-Classics for boats built after 1975 as replicas of traditional vessels. The largest boat is over 100', the smallest is a mere 32', and the oldest was built in 1913. Most of these boats have an interesting story behind them. For example, the Mistral, an 82' schooner, first set sail in 1938 and served in the German navy as part of submarine surveillance operations during WWII. If you want to be present for this first-time exciting event, be sure to make your reservations early as Christmas and New Year's is always a popular time on St Barth. For additional information: www.transatclassique.com. Below is the schedule of events. In traditional St Barth style, there is sure to be music and dancing on the quay, probably on December 23.

December 15-20, 2008
Boats begin to arrive in Gustavia

December 21, 2008
Official cocktail reception

December 22, 2008
Promotional race around the island

December 23, 2008
Official dinner reception and awarding of the prizes