August 24, 2011
Uninvited guest Irene cancels racing…. but not the party!
The Captains met with Event Director Peter Craig and Bucket Director Hank Halsted Wednesday evening. It was the consensus (among all nine boat captains represented) that Irene's very real threat has made a no-race decision on Saturday the only choice. Transitioning from race mode to storm mode for superyachts is extremely time-consuming.
Five Bucket yachts are currently in Martha's Vineyard for the lobster bake and feeder race to Newport. While Irene has nixed the race, Thursday's dinner party will be spectacular. Three of the five yachts are repositioning to Maine on Friday.
While yachts will be preparing and positioning for the storm, there are owners, crew and guests who will be able to enjoy the Bucket Bash at the Newport Shipyard. The Bash, which has been moved from Saturday to Friday will feature all the food and festivities planned for this special 25th Anniversary Celebration.
Every effort was made by the event organizer and the boat captains to squeeze in a race, and while that was not meant to be, the Bucket Spirit lives on!
Anticipation for the Texas Legends Airshow was running high, but unfortunately those shows also had to be cancelled because of the severity of the storm.
Awards were to be presented on Sunday, 28 August.
Daily awards for first in class were to be presented for the Les Gazelles des Mers, Les Grandes Dames des Mers, and Les Elegantes des Mers classes.
Series awards for first, second and third place were to be presented for the Les Gazelles des Mers, Les Grandes Dames des Mers, Les Elegantes des Mers classes, and the Les Demis des Mers sub-class.
Overall awards for the fleet for first, second and third place were to be presented.
Martha’s Vineyard Feeder Race first, second and third place were to be presented.
Combined Martha’s Vineyard Feeder Race and Newport Races first, second and third place were to be presented.
The Vitters Seamanship Trophy were to be awarded to the yacht that demonstrates the best seamanship and sportsmanship in the interest of promoting safety on the race course.
Vitters Seamanship Trophy
Awarded to the yacht that demonstrates the best seamanship and sportsmanship in the interest of promoting safety on the race course. All participants in the Bucket acknowledge that superyachts have serious limitations operating safely in close quarters and therefore, the RC has always valued safety well above performance. This award recognizes the yacht that best demonstrates that understanding. It also goes to prove that nice guys don’t always finish last!!
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