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2011 Newport Bucket Regatta:  Directors’ Recap

Every year since its inception, the Newport Bucket has served up something extra. Bonus great surprises and some interesting challenges have always been part of the event.  This year we got the ultimate challenge, Hurricane Irene! 

As the storm became a reality and defined her approach, the yacht crews and race committee did their due diligence and began shaping contingencies.  Alternate race options were considered along with the plans to move the yachts out of harm’s way. Wednesday evening the captains met with the race director to share their weather data and storm strategies. They were flexible regarding race options, but all expressed their absolute commitment to protecting the yachts from harm. 

The ultimate outcome was that all racing was cancelled, but not the party!

With the storm forecast then for Newport or east, a number of boats planned to head west, up Long Island Sound. The fleet disbursed a few to storm moorings in Newport and the vast majority heading to Maine. This was the right decision. Newport and its Harbor received a significant hit by the storm.

An unfortunate part of Irene’s timing is that in addition for forcing a cancellation of racing, she disrupted special plans to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Bucket Regattas. The Directors and Committee committed considerable resources (both time and money) to creating a truly memorable New England event.  The Martha’s Vineyard component planned a golf match, clam bake and then the Newport Feeder Race.  As a bonus, we hired the Newport Revolutionary Cannon Company, with their 900 pound antique cannon, to finish the race at Castle Hill with Revolutionary soldiers in uniform!  The new Welcome Party at Fort Adams with colors by the same artillery also had potential to create a new benchmark for Bucket celebrations.

The Bucket Committee focused our energy on two elegant Hurricane Parties, one with the remaining fleet in ‘Martha’s Vineyard on Thursday night and the other, under a quickly constructed marquee at Newport Shipyard on Friday.  The site at David Murphy’s home, the “Tumble Inn” on Chappaquiddick, was the most elegant setting ever for a Bucket event. While the attendance was less than planned, enthusiastic party-goers were treated to a “best ever” clam bake and music by Jerry Bennett and the Sultans of Swing.  Earlier in the day, the Royal & Ancient Chappaquiddick Gold Club was the site of a Bucket Golf Tournament led by Timothy Laughridge and Ian Craddock. 

Friday night’s “Hurricane Soiree” at the Shipyard was another memorable affair.  With the yachts properly prepared or on route to Maine, the remaining Bucket Crews brought their unquenchable Bucket attitude and spirit and enjoyed the evening. The food was the best pickings of all the planned catering and we enjoyed a fashion show and danced the night away. In short, we packed a lot of fun into a couple nights.

Once again, the Texas Legends Air Museum offered to entertain the fleet on Saturday and Sunday.  Once again, we asked for the impossible and with tremendous cooperation and support by the US Coast Guard and the FAA, obtained permission to close Narragansett Bay two afternoons in a row, for an aerobatic display that ran from Fort Adams to Castle Hill.  This would have been another Bucket first and a spectacular display!  We are grateful to the extreme, to local and federal authorities and to the Texas Legends Air Museum for their support.  Hopefully, they’ll be at a future Bucket event. 

At the end of the day, it can be said without reservation that everyone involved with the Newport Bucket, particularly the owners and crews, kept the event buoyant with their positive attitude and spirit.  We’re grateful to all. 

We look forward to the 2012 Bucket Regattas!

Sail safe and keep the Bucket Spirit always.

The Bucket Directors

Ian Craddock                   Hank Halsted                      Tim Laughridge