Slyngstad Brothers Set to Compete Against One Another at Les Voiles de St. Barth

Raised in San Jose, California, the Slyngstad brothers began sailing as children and later developed a deep passion for competitive racing. Now aged 67 and 58, Todd and Greg Slyngstad are preparing to face each other in the multihull class at this year’s Les Voiles de St. Barth, renewing a long-standing family rivalry on the water.

The brothers openly acknowledge their competitive dynamic. “It’s in our DNA,” Todd told reporters. Their rivalry stretches across different sports and activities: Todd has the edge on the golf course, while Greg currently leads in sailing achievements. Greg will arrive at the regatta with significant experience—this marks his seventh time competing at Les Voiles de St. Barth—and he has previously bested his brother in race results, giving him an advantage heading into the event.

Sibling rivalries like the one between the Slyngstad brothers are common in sailing, where small margins and split-second decisions can determine outcomes. For two sailors who learned the basics together and then pursued racing more seriously as adults, matching skills and shared history add layers of personal motivation. The multihull class, known for its speed and tactical demands, will test not only raw boat speed but also crew coordination, sail trim, and strategic decision-making—areas where experience and teamwork often make the difference.

Both brothers have approached preparation with focused intent. Their training routines have included refreshing core skills, refining race tactics, and optimizing boat handling to get the most from their multihulls. With decades of sailing between them, Todd and Greg bring complementary strengths: endurance, familiarity with competitive pressure, and a lifetime of seamanship learned from their early years on the water in California. Their shared background gives each of them an intuitive understanding of the other’s tendencies, which can be an advantage or a liability depending on how well they adapt during the heat of competition.

Beyond the personal storyline, their matchup highlights the appeal of Les Voiles de St. Barth as a venue where experienced racers and passionate amateurs come together. The event’s multihull fleet draws crews who value speed and agility, and it creates dramatic on-water duels that emphasize split-second calls and close-quarters tactics. For spectators and fellow competitors, watching two brothers who have sailed together since childhood compete on opposite sides offers a compelling narrative that blends family history with elite-level racing.

Despite the competitive tension, the Slyngstad brothers speak with mutual respect. They understand that racing is as much about learning and adapting as it is about winning, and their shared experiences have shaped how they approach the sport. Sailing against a sibling who knows your strengths and weaknesses inside out forces a level of creativity and precision that can elevate both sailors’ performances.

For readers interested in a more detailed account of the brothers’ preparation, tactical discussion, and the personal stories behind their rivalry, a feature in the New York Times explores their sailing backgrounds and what they bring to this year’s regatta. That piece provides additional context on their training, on-water strategies, and how the Brother-versus-Brother dynamic plays out during competition.

As the regatta approaches, spectators and fellow sailors will be watching to see whether Greg’s experience at Les Voiles de St. Barth and his previous victories over Todd will translate into another win, or whether Todd can leverage his own strengths to turn the tide. Either way, the Slyngstad brothers’ headline matchup will be a highlight of the multihull racing program and a vivid example of how family ties and fierce competition can coexist on the racecourse.