St Barthelemy Bucket
March 25-28, 2010
The St. Barth’s Bucket is an invitational regatta set in the Corinthian spirit. The regatta is open to yachts over 100’ (31 M) L.O.A., unless invited under the Grandfather Clause. Yachts participating will do so at their own risk. This is a fun regatta and safety is the highest priority of the Race Committee. Therefore, we extend an invitation to the owners, captains, crews and guests who participate to make this a fun and safe event.
Event Organizers
The St. Barth’s Bucket is organized by The Bucket Association, St. Barth’s, FWI
The event is affiliated with and sanctioned by the Federation Francais de Voile (FFV).
Eligibility
The St. Barth’s Bucket Regatta is an invitational event, open to sailing yachts over 100’. Considering the unprecidented level of interest in the Bucket Regattas in recent years, the invitational aspect of the event has become increasingly relevant. With the Regatta often over-subscribed it is important for all applicants to understand the basis upon which entrants are selected. The invitation matrix is comprised of many factors including the yacht’s size and past participation, with major credit for contributions to the spirit of the event (the fun factor), and the crew’s understanding that Bucket Regattas are primarily about camaraderie and sharing the exhilaration of sailing these magnificent yachts to their potential in a competitive, yet seamanlike manner. This event is focused upon the yacht Owners; hence chartered yachts receive low priority.
Applications
A generic, provisional event and rating application form will be posted on the bucketregattas.com website for information purposes only. This application should be used only as a reference only and should not be submitted.
Official applications for the St. Barth’s Bucket Regatta will be available approximately five months prior to the event. To obtain an application, and/or to advise the Bucket Committee of your intention to enter the Regatta, contact the Committee at lisa@bucketregattas.com. We will add your yacht to the provisional entry list and will send out official applications as they are ready for distribution.
Sailing Rules
The St. Barth’s Bucket will be sailed under the Superyacht Racing Protocol, version 3.
In recognition of the fact that the yachts participating in Bucket events are too large and too constrained in their ability to maneuver, to be safely governed by the traditional Sailing Rules, the Superyacht Racing Protocol is a variation on the COLREGS, the International Regulations for Avoiding Collisions at Sea. Sailing Rules will be posted and emailed to all entrants no later than March 1st. Well-considered comments on any aspect of the Protocol are absolutely encouraged. The Protocol is rapidly evolving into an effective set of safety rules and guidelines that recognize the handling limitations of the superyacht fleet. The Protocol will also be distributed at Registration and is available here.
All Rules of the FFV must also be respected and followed by all Bucket participants. This specifically includes the requirements for French citizens sailing in the regatta, to be holders of a current FFV Sailing License. Also, each yacht is required to maintain €1,500,000 liability insurance. Both requirements will be documented on the Crew Afadavit, to be completed by each participating yacht, at registration.
Sailing Instructions
Official event Sailing Instructions will be distributed at registration. Provisional Sailing Instructions, course descriptions and diagrams will be available on the Bucket Website on or before 15 January 2010.
Ratings and Scoring
Ratings and therefore start times will be assigned using the Bucket Rule. This is a VPP (Velocity Prediction Program) Rule administered by Jim Teeters of the Sailing Yacht Research Foundation (SYRF), and the Bucket Organization. For all contestants, it is of major importance to record the information requested on the Event Application as accurately as possible. This is the primary input data available for your performance analysis and all is easily obtained from your yacht designer, sailmaker or other marine consultants. A complete description of the Bucket Rule and its application is available here.
Scoring will be by the low point system.
Classes
In 2005, when the Bucket Regatta grew beyond all expectations and the fleet doubled in size, it was determined that the fleet should be split into classes which considered their essential attributes. However, the distinction of “Cruising Class” and Racing Class” seemed just, oh so pedestrian, for a fleet of this stature. In the RC’s opinion, the designation of Les Gazelles des Mers” for the Racing Class and “Les Grandes Dames des Mers” for the Cruising Class, seemed far more appropriate. Both classes sail together on the same course, with awards for each division, and for the Bucket Overall Trophies as well.
Captain’s Meeting
The Captain’s Meeting will be held at 1700 on 25 March 2010. Location to be announced. Sailing instructions and the Superyacht Racing Protocol will be distributed via email, prior to the Captains Meeting, with additional copies available at the meeting. Course diagrams, safety considerations and other regatta related information will be also distributed at that time.
At minimum, each yacht must be represented at the Captain’s Meeting, by her designated Safety Tactician and her Racing Tactician/Captain.
Dockage
The Port Authority in Gustavia has been kind enough once again to reserve the entire quay for the St. Barth’s Bucket participants. There will be room alongside for 22-24 yachts and we will do everything possible to arrange dockage for all who wish to be at the quay. However, with a fleet of 40 yachts, anchoring will be necessary for many in the fleet and actually, in recent years a number of yachts have preferred to remain at anchor. Please indicate your preference on the Application, but if you choose to be alongside, plan to participate in the Fleet Open House, which is one of the highlights of the Bucket.
Registration
Registration will begin on Thursday, March 25 at 1400 hours. Ten days prior to the event, the Captain will be notified with items required to complete registration. The Captain or the designate crew member should report to the registration area with the information required.
Contacts
Applications, Accounting and General information:
Lisa O’Connell, lisa@bucketregattas.com
Media, sponsorship and general information:
Holly Paterson, holly@bucketregattas.com
Managing director:
Hank Halsted, hank@bucketregattas.com
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