WIMCO GEARS UP FOR YEAR 3 OF LES VOILES DE ST BARTH REGATTA
DONATES 5 LUXURY VILLAS AS GRAND PRIZES FOR RACE WINNERS

Newport, RI - January 2012 - Sailing enthusiasts know St Barts for its famous though largely unpublicized Bucket Regatta, held annually in late March. That event draws both classic and modern yachts of over 100' in length to the picturesque shores of the famed French Caribbean island.

Now St Barts is drawing interest from an even broader spectrum of sailors with the successful growth of the Les Voiles de St Barth Regatta in April. The Regatta, now entering its third year, attracts performance racing teams on yachts of all shapes and sizes, and is becoming well known for the high-quality of competition as well as its lively post-race parties and concerts on the Quai of Gustavia Harbor. This year's participants include recently refurbished 1930s yacht Dorade; Rambler, owned by 2011 winner George David; and Hoek Firefly, the recently launched prototype for the new one-design F Class.

Leading St Barts villa rentals agency Wimco Villas, a charter sponsor of the Regatta, returns as a sponsor for a third year. The company's claim to fame is its gorgeous portfolio of private villas for rent on St Barts, and the unmatched level of concierge service that it provides clients during their villa vacations.

Wimco's sponsorship includes presenting the winners of several of the racing categories with the prize of a complimentary week in one of its top villas, with their own concierge ready to attend to their every request. This year, the villa vacation prizes that Wimco will dole out to the winners are sure to provide significant motivation to the captain and crew.

• Villa WV JEP – Newly completed, spacious modern 6 bedroom villa on Pointe Milou
• Villa WV DON – Recently renovated 3 bedroom villa in Colombier with sunset views
• Villa WV LUM – Stylish 2 bedroom villa in Flamands
• Villa WV ADL – Sophisticated 2 bedroom villa high up in the hills of St Jean
• Villa WV TDC – Private 3 bedroom retreat with sweeping ocean views in Vitet

This year's Les Voiles de St Barth Regatta will take place between April 2nd and 7th, 2012. LVSB Competition Manager Annelisa Gee explains that part of the appeal for race participants is the layday (one day of rest) reserved for competitors and friends mid-way through the regatta – giving racers time to relax, visit one of the island's 12 pristine beaches, and take in lunch or dinner in any one of the 60 restaurants and bistros that earn St Barts the title of "culinary capital" of the Caribbean.

"Last year's Race Village scene was pretty amazing and this year's is slated to be even better," according to Gee. Post race there will be live music nightly, a cash bar, and of course a 20' x 20' screen replaying all the day's racing, close calls and familiar faces. Featured bands include Papa Guyo, SXM FUNK, UPRISING, Ronny Santana & House of Blues, and surprise guests on the final night. The Regatta, and its lively race village, make this an ideal week to vacation in St Barts.

About Wimco Villas

Recently featured on The Today Show, Wimco Villas is an award-winning luxury villa rental company, providing access to some of the world's most beautiful and exceptional private villas. Wimco has received numerous accolades including FORTUNE magazine's "Top Villas Companies in the World," Condé Nast Traveler magazine's "Best Presented Villas" and FORBES "Best of the Web."

Wimco Villas' agents have intimate knowledge of the villas in their portfolio, and can tailor make a villa vacation to suit each client's needs, whether it be arranging for private chefs, yoga instructors, yacht charters or simply a restaurant reservation. Wimco also represents villas in the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii and Nantucket, and publishes the Vendome Guide series of villa vacation guides. For additional information please call 800-449-1553. Inquiries can be sent via email to info@wimco.com