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St Barths 2009 Final Results
St Barths 2009 Awards
St Barths 2009 Fleet Results - Sunday, March 29, 2009
St Barths 2009 Regatta Day Two Update
St Barths 2009 Fleet Results - Saturday, March 28, 2009
St Barths 2009 Regatta Day One Update
St Barths 2009 Fleet Results - Friday, March 27, 2009
St Barths 2009 Fleet Update - March 19, 2009
2009 St Barths Bucket Sailing Instructions
St Barths 2009 Final Results
Gustavia, St Barths, FWI (March 31, 2009) The 14th Annual St Barths Bucket was once again blessed with perfect sailing weather which provided some of the most spectacular sailing on the most spectacular yachts in the most spectacular Caribbean sailing neighborhood. With a consistent 15-22 knot trade wind, the fleet was fully powered up and the racing was startlingly close. Once again this Bucket was declared the "best ever".
SY METEOR, 51m Royal Huisman modern classic Schooner won first place overall in the regatta with the 30m modern classic ketch, WINDCREST, in second place overall and the 54m classic schooner, ADELA, was 3rd place overall. The following are the additional trophies awarded:
Grande Dames des Mers: (Cruising Division)
1: METEOR, 51m Huisman
2: MALTESE FALCON - 88m Perini Navi
3: WINDCREST, 30m Hodgdon Yacht
Gazelle De Mer: (Racing Division)
1: GANESHA - 39m Dubois Performance Sloop
2. P2 - 38m Perini Navi/Briande Performance sloop
3. DESTINATION FOX HARB'R - 41m Dubois Performance Sloop by Alloy Yachts
For the first time ever, the Wolter Huisman Spirit of the Bucket was presented to a Huisman Yacht. METEOR was presented this award, which is earned by the yacht that best exemplifies the Spirit of the Bucket -- having the most fun while displaying the best Corinthian values, sailing their yacht perfectly with a non-professional group of great sailors while sharing their joie de vivre and generosity with the fleet.
Vitter's Shipyard Seamanship Trophy was awarded to VIRAGO. The award is presented 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!! On several occasions, VIRAGO chose to give way to other yachts in order to decompress potentially dangerous situations. She was run and raced like a proper yacht in all respects while setting a safety example that we would all do well to follow. Well done!!
The All Star Crew Award, presented by Holland Jachtbouw and The Yacht Report went to MALTESE FALCON. The All Star Crew is selected by peer ballot, with each yacht in the Regatta putting forward their vote for the crew that has the best run yacht, with the tightest crew family -- they get along and they get it done while enjoying themselves fully.
Best Performance by an Alloy Yacht -- DESTINATION FOX HARB'R
Perini Navi Cup - Best Performance by a Perini Navi Yacht -- MALTESE FALCON
The Skullduggery Cravat was presented to AXIA. The cravat is a perfectly tied Admiralty Noose, framed, with instructions in elegant calligraphy on how to tie a proper, 13 turn noose. This was originally awarded to the owner of SARIYAH in 2002, so his captain, Timothy Laughridge (Bucket Committee) could be hung at the pleasure of the Fleet. The award was renamed and put forward as an award by the Committee, to reinforce the Bucket premise that we are NOT here to promulgate adult behavior.
The 2009 Cravat was handily earned by the owners and crew of AXIA, who accosted our RC Chairman, Hank Halsted at the welcome party, while dressed in full antique Spartan battle dress, held him at spear point in front of the crowd, while beseeching him to exercise his good judgment in putting forward a more favorable rating handicap! In view of the fact that they had the wisdom to address Hank as "wise one", the request received favorable consideration!! In sum, AXIA brought the house down with their well honed sense of fun.
The Bucket Regattas began in August 1986 in Nantucket, MA, as a casual race to prove bragging rights among the owners & skippers of seven of the largest yachts in town -- an afternoon sail, there and back again, with a galvanized bucket as the trophy. The St Barths Bucket Regatta has grown to become one of the most prestigious sailing events in the world, attracting the largest yachts ever to compete on the race course.
St Barths 2009 Day Two Update
Day two of the 14th annual St Barths Bucket Regatta proved to be one of the most spectacular days of racing in Bucket Regatta history. 34 yachts started with 17 knots of breeze for the Wiggley Course which takes the yachts around and between the islands to the north and east of St Barths.
The 33M Alloy Yacht, PARAISO came in first with a finishing time of 2:07:25 PM; the 49 m Perini Navi PERSEUS followed them by 12 seconds and 55M Classic, ADELA followed by 23 seconds. The spectacular finish had 25 yachts finish within 10 minutes of each other. The full fleet results are available here.
The evening's festivities included the owner's party at the newly renovated Carl Gustaf hotel. The Bucket Bash kicked off on the quay with a buffet dinner, live music and dancing until Midnight.
Day three's course is the around the island race "The Other Way Around" Stay tuned for our next update....
St Barths 2009 Day One Update
The wind gods served up a magnificent 15 knot ENE sailing breeze for the first days race of the 14th Annual St Barths Bucket Regatta Yesterday. A record 34 yachts sailed the 25 mile course, counter-clockwise around the island. This was a spectacular day of sailing, enhanced by a "yellow alert" warning for heavy seas and swells that left the fleet sailing against the backdrop of huge breaking seas against the rock promotories that create the turning marks for the course. The photographers were really happy (and a little soaked) at the end of the day!
The big winner of the day was METEOR, the 51M Dykstra design Schooner by the Royal Huisman Shipyard. Finishing 23 seconds later in second place was SHAMOUN the 33M Classic sloop by Holland Jachtbouw, with GANESHA, the new Dubois design 39M performance sloop, finishing 40 seconds later in Third Place.
Among LES GAZELLES DES MERS (racing division), GANESHA finished first, KALIKOBASS II the 32M Trehard sloop was second and P2, the new Perini Navi high performance 38m sloop by design, was third. Among LES GRANDES DAMES DES MERS (Cruising Division), METEORr was first, SHAMOUN second and PERSEUS, the 50M Perini Navi was third.
The large surge and swell created some excitement alongside as well, and unfortunately made it impossible for most of the fleet to come alongside for the evening in the turbulent harbor seas. This put a serious damper on the scheduled "Fleet Open House" which is typically the high point of each Bucket Regatta. Fortunately, four of the largest (and most hospitable yachts) were able to tie up safely, and invite the other sailing crews aboard for a great night of celebration of the first day of racing!
Race #2 of the St. Barths Bucket Regatta was sailed today on the 20 mile "Wiggley Course" around and between the Islands north and east of St. Barths.
Stay Tuned. . .
St Barths 2009 Fleet Update - March 19, 2009
DATE: March 19, 2009
TO: All St. Barths Bucket Owners, Crew & Friends of the Family
RE: Bucket’s Upon Us – Checking for holes. . .
FROM: The Bucket Race Committee
Greetings All:
Details, Details, Details. We have many to share, and I will apologize in advance to any yachts on the list that have difficulty receiving attachments – we have a couple that you should see.
DOCKAGE
As you are aware, we have a record breaking fleet of 35 yachts this year and as mentioned previously, they have not created more dock space in Gustavia, which leaves us scratching for berths alongside. Fortunately, 9 participants have opted to use their yachts for their intended purpose - and anchor out. Still, with 26 yachts to place in 22 positions, we’re still choked for space. We are encouraging any of the shallower yachts (with rudder depths less than 10’) to opt for dockage at The Wall House, just across from the Capitainerie, which would be a tremendous favor to the rest of the fleet. If you would consider living in the “suburbs” on the quieter side of the harbor during the Bucket, please let us know ASAP.
TENDERS
This year, we can use a bit of help in this category as well. We will be holding the Captain’s Meeting aboard MALTESE FALCON, at anchor, on Thursday 26 March at 1700 sharp! The meeting will close at 1830 sharp!
Because we cannot raft 35 tenders to the FALCON, we will need some serious coordination to move 150 people to and from the yacht as efficiently as possible. We would be grateful to enlist the services of 10 inflatable tenders with capability to carry 8 people each, to help with transportation. Do let us know if you can help in this regard. We are very grateful to Tom Perkins and the crew of MALTESE FALCON for hosting the Meeting.
This year will also be a very big year for sailing media, with all of four film crews covering the event and a good number of photographers as well. We’re a bit strapped for seaworthy inflatable tenders to get all these photo types out on the water, so if you have a large tender that you might consider lending to the Committee, we’ll provide a licensed Captain, fuel and detailing. Any help along these lines will be greatly appreciated – it might even make you famous!! So far, we have chartered a Contender 32 and VIRAGO has been kind enough to volunteer their tender but we could still use a couple more photo boats.
FFV SAILING LICENSES & INSURANCE
We mentioned the need for FFV Licenses for French Citizens in our last email, along with the requirement to maintain €1,500,000 liability insurance while racing. We have yet to receive our final marching orders from the FFV in this regard, but we assume there will be no changes. If so, we will notify you forthwith.
THE RULES
Although the concept of “Rules” in Bucket Racing used to be an oxymoron, we have had to swallow the fact that in launching the world’s largest sailing yachts on to the race course, we should probably give the contestants an idea of how to act when in close quarters. We have taken a long and serious look at the pragmatics of creating racing rules for vessels that are incapable of turning or stopping in any reasonable distance – sort of like creating rules for racing elephants – but we think we’ve found a reasonable balance that will address most situations for preventing collisions in close quarters. We have attached the Sailing Instructions for this year’s Bucket, which focus on the “Superyacht Racing Protocol”. If you see anything grossly missing or out of line, please share your thoughts with us.
NEW FRENCH OIL POLLUTION LAWS
We have attached a document regarding professional shipping in French Waters, that could affect any of our fleet if we were involved in a diesel spill, etc.. Although aimed at shipping, the fines are severe enough for the fleet to be aware of.
For now, that’s all the news that’s fit to print. We look forward to seeing you next week in St. Barths. In the meantime, sail safely.
- The Bucket Race Committee
2009 St Barths Bucket Sailing InstructionsREGATTA RULES – The Superyacht Racing Protocol
It is important for all Bucket participants, owners, captains and tacticians to remain fully aware that due to the size of the yachts and their relative lack of maneuverability in close quarters, Bucket Regattas cannot be sailed under the conventional ISAF sailing rules. All participants must understand that this is a congenial regatta. The primary focus is seamanship and sailing in the safest possible manner in all situations. Yachts handled in an overly aggressive manner WILL be excused from racing in all Bucket Events. Please read the following rules carefully!
Bucket Regattas are sailed under the COLREGS, International Regulations for Avoiding Collisions at Sea, with the following exceptions:
- This is a pursuit race. Each yacht will be assigned her own starting time, slower yachts starting first. The first yacht to cross the Finish, wins. With proper handicaps, the fleet should finish in close proximity. Ratings may be adjusted after each day’s race, at the discretion of the handicap committee, in order to optimize the ratings the for the next day’s race.
- Yachts are allowed to run their engines and thrusters up to their start for safety reasons only! Each yacht’s engine must be out of gear two minutes prior to her start, so that she crosses the line under sail power alone.
- There will be no recalls; any yacht crossing the starting line early will have FIVE minutes added to her elapsed time. However, any yacht starting more than FIVE minutes prior to their assigned time will not be scored.
- At Mark roundings and obstructions, the ISAF Rules of Sailing, Section C, Rules #18-20 “When Boats Meet at Marks and Obstructions”, will serve as a general guide as to safe conduct in close quarters, with the “zone” defined as 100 meters. Interpretation of these rules must consider the size and maneuverability limitations of the yachts involved. If there is any question as to risk of collision, bridge-to-bridge communication on VHF 15 is encouraged to confirm collision avoidance maneuvers. Unless there is clear thoroughfare at the mark, overtaking and/or less maneuverable yachts are strongly encouraged to take the “passing lane”, outside. Yachts are encouraged to run their engines in neutral when approaching congested roundings, so they may be engaged if necessary for collision avoidance.
- All participants take note; within the COLREGS, no provision is made for “luffing rights”, for overlapped yachts being overtaken to windward. These rights are excluded from Bucket Regatta races.
- The COLREGS and the ISAF Rounding Rules will be superseded in all situations by the General Prudential Rule: Collisions are to be avoided by all and every means.
Communications
VHF Channel 73 will be used as the official Race Committee Channel unless otherwise stated at the daily skipper’s meeting. All competing yachts should monitor VHF Channel 73 at all times while racing.
All yachts also will be required to maintain an active radio watch on VHF Channel 15: from the time the Yacht enters the Starting Area until she departs the Finish Are after the race. The purpose of the radio watch is to maintain an active, bridge-to-bridge communication capability among the fleet, such that when in close quarters any yacht may request any other yacht to “state their intentions” and resolve the best course for collision avoidance. If it is determined that one of the yachts will alter course, the Race Committee encourages first consideration be given to course changes that conform with COLREGS prescriptions. For example, port tack and overtaking yachts should be treated as the burdened vessel.
Safety Tactician
Each yacht shall assign a Safety Tactician and submit his or her name and local contact information to the Race Committee before 1800 on Thursday March 26. This individual will be responsible for the Channel 15, bridge-to-bridge communications, along with other duties requested by the Race Committee, such as recording mark rounding times on a Course Log Sheet.
Course Log sheet
A Course Log Sheet will be given out at the daily skipper’s meeting to the Safety Tactician, requesting rounding times and other information the Race Committee may deem necessary for optimizing the on-water performance analysis for each yacht’s rating. It should be handed to the Race Committee at the reception desk on the quay before 1800 each evening. At this time the Race Committee will appreciate an informal debriefing of the day’s racing.
Protests
Because of the size and lack of maneuverability of the participating yachts, the Bucket Regattas cannot be sailed under the auspices of the traditional Racing Rules of Sailing. Therefore, the Bucket Race Committee cannot, and will not convene a Protest Hearing or render a third party opinion as to “fault” in any collision situation.
In 23 years of Bucket Regattas, not a single protest has been filed. This is a tremendous tribute to the sportsmanship of the participants. We fully expect the present and all future Bucket Events to achieve the same level of seamanship and mutual respect.
Superyacht Racing Protocol
The rules outlined above constitute what we hope will evolve into a comprehensive set of guidelines that will create the Superyacht Racing Protocol, that will be used in all Bucket Regattas. The purpose of the rules is to encourage good competition, good sportsmanship and absolute collision avoidance.
This should not affect the spirit of Bucket Racing from years past, which is first and foremost:
SAIL SAFELY FIRST, THEN FAST. WIN THE PARTY!
Schedule of Races
It is the intent of the Race Committee to run THREE Races:
- “AROUND THE ISLAND” on Friday, March 27
- “THE WIGGLEY COURSE” on Saturday, March 28
- “THE OTHER WAY AROUND” Course on Sunday, March 29
In addition to these Sailing Instructions, course descriptions will be provided: listing the marks to be passed, their order and the side on which each mark is to be left, along with diagrams showing the courses. The written text prevails over the diagrams. The purpose of these diagrams is as a visual aid to the written courses and they are not provided for navigation.
Each day there will be a 09:00 briefing, which will provide information on weather, courses, and other pertinent information. At that meeting start times, course, and race log sheets will be distributed. The first start each day will be 1100 hours. Should postponements be required, they will be made in one-hour increments. As such, your start time will be moved back exactly one hour. The Race Committee will endeavor to announce any postponement before the fleet leaves the dock.
There will be a time check announced at 10:30 on each race day, on VHF Channel 73. The official time for The Bucket Regatta will be Atlantic Standard Time UTC. The best source for accurate time is a GPS.
The Start
The Starting Line will be between the RC Flag aboard the Committee Boat and an inflatable buoy anchored approximately .7 miles to the WSW of the Committee Boat. There will be a “stand-off-buoy” anchored next to the Committee Boat and it shall be considered to part of the Committee Boat – do not pass between the stand-off mark and the Committee Boat!
Each yacht shall check in with the Race Committee on the bridge-to-bridge safety channel, VHF Channel 15, approximately FIVE minutes before her start time.
The Race Committee intends to announce a count down for each start on the official Race Committee Channel 73.
The Finish
The Finish Line will be between the RC Flag aboard the Committee Boat and an inflatable buoy approximately .7 miles to the WSW of the Committee Boat. There will be a “stand-off-buoy” anchored next to the Committee Boat and it shall be considered to part of the Committee Boat – do not pass between the stand off mark and the Committee Boat!
Crew Waiver
Crew waivers will be distributed at the Reception Desk and must be signed by all crew members and returned to the Reception Desk prior to departing for the first race. Any Yacht not submitting a crew waiver will not be scored for the day’s race. Crew waivers must be updated to reflect addition of any new crew members.
FFV Licenses
All French citizens who are not part of the participating yacht’s permanent paid crew, must have a valid FFV License. The Bucket Association can issue temporary FFV Licenses for the event. Please contact our St. Barths Bucket Manager, Wendy Kronenberg at +590 590 275 650, nfyachts@wanadoo.fr to obtain a license.
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