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17 – 20 March 2016

16 – 19 March 2017

15 – 18 March 2018

21 - 24 March 2019

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  Photograph of St BArths harbor at night, with yachts docked
 

2012 St Barths Bucket Regatta: Recaps

 

Previous 2012 Recaps: 25 March | 24 March | 23 March | 22 March | 15 March

It’s time to say Bravo and Au Revoir to our Bucket friends as we close up the 17th edition of the always spectacular Saint Barths Bucket

Merci Buckets!

By Norma Trease

As The Bard said “parting is such sweet sorrow”, and that is exactly the way everyone feels at the end of another fantastic edition of the Saint Barths Bucket. With every hug, every single-double-triple goodbye kiss, every sincere “I love you” a piece of your heart leaves with each friend and sailing companion who departs for their home ports by plane, ferry – or indeed by yacht. Yet we all know that in this world, we will all meet again, whether in another country, surely another regatta, boat show, wedding, or quay encounter in another port town. ‘Tis the nature of our biz! The upshot is that we carry with us, one and all, amazing memories of another Bucket, bigger and better than ever.

Michael Bradfield, owner of the superb Dubois-designed, Royal Huisman built Twizzle, summed it up as well as I ever could. “What a superb and exciting Bucket Regatta. The sailing was varied and challenging and brilliantly planned. The four categories were spot on and the exciting and tight finishes were a testament to the superb rating by Jim Teeters. Peter Craig as PRO and the team did a superb job of promoting a rich and varied regatta with a strong emphasis on safety and good nature. It was a privilege being able to take part.”

Yacht photographWith forty seven yachts of this value and calibre, all competing for prizes, glory and bragging rights, racing can sometimes get a little hairy. Yet with the intense professionalism of both permanent and racing crews, once again, Bucket racing in Saint Barths remained safe, and with other than a few protest-enducing close calls, and some gear failure, everything turned out well in the end. However, there were some incidents of the yacht air-kiss variety.

On Day Three of racing, “Round the Island the Other Way”, with the four classes separated into two parallel courses, there were less of the mega-million-dollar-baby pile ups we all gasped at on Day Two. Day Threes’ biggest heart thumping moments happened at the finish line, which went between a marker buoy, and the lovely Burger yacht committee boat, Ingot. Blue Too, who had a great race, coming in 2nd in Class and 3rd place overall, narrowly avoided becoming the filing in a Perini panini. It was an exciting race for Perinis today, as Fidelis, and Parsifal III came across the finish line within inches of each other, and Andromeda also came exceedingly close to the committee boat.

BTW, a sincere “Merci Bucket” must be given to our three graciously loaned committee boats Rena, Krisujen, and Ingot. They are an integral part of Bucket racing, providing excellent hospitality and a great environment for our hard-working Race Committee officers, while also serving as appropriately elegant foils to the superb sailing yachts who pass them twice each day. Thanks very much!

Excellent racing and cruising skipper Dean Maggio, who unfortunately was involved in one of the few protests, looked at it from a historical perspective “this used to be resolved with a case of champagne, but no more! Maybe we could go back to that!” Capt. Johnno Johnson of Antara, always the Bucket host-with-the-most, also shared his frustrations too, “not matter how well we sail- and we’ve had some cracking good sailing here, we simply can’t get ahead of all of these bigger, newer boats. Sure, the owner and guests are having the time of their lives – but we like to at least be in the middle of the fleet.” Antara was this year awarded the Skulduggery Cravat for their always-excellent good humour, and much appreciated hospitality.

The All-Star Crew went to Endeavour ­– who were so much admired as they decorated the courses daily, and also came in top in the J-Class, with a very respectable 23rd overall. The Vitters Seamanship Trophy was given to Race Committee member Don Gunning, who played a key role in the emergency response and treatment of an injured crew member.

Lots of awards going around: Perini Navi Barracuda, took home the always coveted Escargot Cup - whose title is self-explanatory. The Alloy Yacht Awards to the top performing Alloy Yacht went to Blue Too. In a charming speech, Alice Huisman presented the Wolter Huisman Memorial Award, given to the yacht or person who best exhibits the ‘spirit of the Bucket’ to Capt. Richard Archer of the Swan Virago, well-known for their competitive spirit, and intense emphasis on safety. The Perini Navi Cup, which had a lot of potential winners in this years bumper-crop, was given to Panthalassa, who had an excellent race, coming in 2nd in Les Grandes Dames class, and 4th overall.

The race winners, for every class and every race are too numerous to be covered here, but can be seen in their entirety at www.bucketregattas.com . But a huge shout-out must be given to the cumulative race winners: This is Us, Lady B, and Blue Too. Also top in their class were Parsifal III in Les Grandes Dames, and the always-thrilling to watch French speed machine Mari-Cha III¸ in Les Gazelles.

BRAVO, BRAVI, BRAVE to every one of us all lucky enough to part if this always totally awe-inspiring event – or as Don Tofias, that yacht-loving, and Bucket-loving sailorman says “the 2012 edition of the St. Barths Bucket is now complete, and as always - Yachting was the Winner.”

Our blogger Norma Trease, one of the most sincere Bucket fans ever, is this celebrating her own 25th Bucket Regatta – but who’s counting?


 

25 March 2012

What a Difference a Day Makes!

By Norma Trease

Yachts racingRace Day Two provided another day of superlatives at the Saint Barths Bucket. In a sharp contrast to yesterdays’ wash out, Saturday dawned hot and sunny, with but a few dark clouds to remind us all what we weren’t missing. “Today might be one of the epic Bucket Races of all time” exclaimed Bucket Founder and Antara guest helmsman Capt. Ian “Crash” Craddock. Truer words have never been spoken! By now, after a few days of working and partying hard, everyone is feeling a little tired, but judging from the huge crowd, and extremely happy faces at the Bucket Bash BBQ, the sheer thrill of viewing and participating in such a phenomenal race kept spirits way up. Or was that the endlessly flowing spirits keeping spirits going? Either way, there was a lot of celebrating on.

Besides the sunshine, a steadily freshening breeze brought this massive fleet just what it needed to move around the “Not So Wiggly” course at a quick and exciting clip. Capt. Timmy Laughridge, another Bucket Founder, and for this race driving Perini Navi Parsifal III, commented on the spectacular start.  “A downwind start, with a good breeze is a great way to start a race, we don’t see that much! In Les Grandes Dames, Parsifal III again brought in a solid first in class, and is in now in fourth overall.  Pantalassa  edged into 2nd place, while Axia, showing their usual indomidable spirit, hung in there at 3rd place.

Les Elegantes had a hell of day. None of this thirteen-strong class, a beautiful mix of modern and older classics, which included Athos, Adela, Whisper, William Tai and Meteor, could have been more excited than the crew on This Is Us¸one of the many lovely Hoek designs here, built by Holland Yachtbouw. Highly experienced yacht regatta veteran and guest helmsman Patrick Wetter was visibly elated –as well he should be – sweeping to first place in both class and overall a full five minutes a full five minutes ahead of 34m Alloy Blue Too, a design by the always classic Ron Holland. In a surprising move, one of the smallest Bucket boats, sentimental favorite Olin Stephens design, Bequia brought in a solid third.

Photograph of yacht Lady BLes Mademoiselles class,dominated by a clutch of gorgeous Dubois designs, were also in their element. It was another battle for the top spots, but Lady B, a 43m Vitters swept her class again, while dropping to third place overall. Tony Mitchell, who comes all the way from new Zealand several times per year to race in Salperton III,  was “very happy for the owner”, yacht regatta veteran Barry Houghton. Salperton III, and her sister ship Ganesha, both built at New Zealands’ Fitzroy are still proving highly competitive, with Ganesha nipping at Salperton’s heels to come in a close 3rd.

The Not So Wiggly Course offers multiple opportunities to view this spectacular fleet up close and personal, but the sights to be seen at the top mark were especially thrilling, with up to eight of these seriously big yachts abreast at one time. Part of the thrill as either competitor or guest is the inevitable fear factor of what could happen if anyone made a mistake – but so far, so good. As Capt. Crash put it, “this race is a testament to the seamanship capabilities of the whole fleet.”

As could be imagined, Les Gazelles had a field day, storming through the rest of fleet in her longer course. What a sight to behold, with Valsheda, Unfurled, Ranger, and Endeavor and Virago battling it out. The results in winning order were Mari Cha III, P2, and Firefly. It’s still an incredibly thrilling experience to see these J’s up close and personal, yet competing with the rest of her class. Wow, Wow, Wow!

Photgraph of sailing crew watching yachts raceTom Hutchinson of Future Fibers, another veteran Bucketeer, sailing on This Is Us, summed up this wonderful day perfectly, saying “sometimes you race well without a good result, and sometimes you race well and get the result you want. Today was about as good as it gets – good racing and great results!”

Today, Saint Barths Bucket race day three, is the ‘Round the Island the Other Direction” course, and with a good breeze already freshening, and more brilliant sunshine brightening everything up, should make this another great day out on the water. Tonight, the Prize Giving should be as epic as the Bucket has been. You can share all of that with tomorrow, as we wrap up the 17th Saint Barths Bucket.

Good Luck one and all – have a great day out on the water!  


24 March 2012

Day One of the Saint Barths Bucket proved once again that Mother Nature always has the upper hand.

Natures Deck Wash

By Norma Trease

Sailing photographMy mother used to say “if life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” The Saint Barths Bucket version of this was heard at the end of today’s very rainy race from Rebecca’s helmsman saying  “well, at least we don’t have to wash down – or chamois!” The other upside of this unseasonable – even cold – rain falling in buckets all day was that it brought wind. Albeit the gusty, the fluky, variable winds we saw proved as much a challenge as an asset. So Day One of the Saint Barths Bucket proved to be very interesting indeed, a dramatic start to an always fascinating racing spectacle.

To begin with, this incredible fleet, featuring 47 of the worlds’ most impressive sailing yachts, hailing from every yacht building nation on earth, with a LOA of close to two kilometers in length total is mind boggling to any normal human being, even us hundreds of die-hard Bucketeers. Add in a new, fourth ratings class, and the ever-present discussions which surround the Bucket Ratings System, and the stage is set for a lot of excitement.
Day One as usual featured the ‘Round the Island Race’ clockwise. The races here are based on the pursuit racing theory which has yachts begin at staggered times based on predicted performance, which when figured correctly (as if this were possible with a fleet of this breathtaking diversity), and counting in slightly differing courses for some of the classes – could, or should result in all of the yachts coming across the finish line at the same time. Great concept, and there’s doubt that no one does it better that our ratings guru Jim Teeters, but can you imagine the fear factor in that amount enormous, and hugely valuable fleet of floating assets bearing on the same finish line at the same time? Needless to say, it rarely happens just that way.

Todays’ Bucket racing proved about as good as it gets, despite the unseasonable weather. Most of the yachts had great starts, with many of them right on the money, or bare seconds behind their allotted times. Throughout the race, which was either 20.8 or 24.5 miles depending upon your class, there was some seriously thrilling sailing. The finishes – proving that the years of data crunching behind the Bucket Ratings system actually does produce results – were in a few cases almost too close. The final mark proved a bottle neck, which saw several encounters of the heart-stopping variety, including a couple of clusters of Perini Navis coming within drink-sharing distance of each other. A definitely too intimate meeting of Whisper, Rebecca and Salperton - which came very close to producing the seriously frowned-upon protest – was averted at the last minute by the usual gentlemanly discussion. No T-bones today!

Photograph of yachts racingThese yachts, although increasingly built to perform on the race course, are still at heart cruising vessels, and invariably, the rarely seen stresses that racing places on the yachts can - and does - cause some damage. Depending on who you spoke to, there were anything from four to eight spinnaker sails shredded, including those on Barracuda and Meteor. Most seriously damaged was the largest yacht in the fleet, the very impressive 67m Baltic Yacht Hetairos, designed by one of hottest current yacht design collaborations possible, Dysktra and Reichel/Pugh. She unfortunately hit a submerged rock and did quite a bit of damage to her keel – yet finished the race to the bitter end.

This was a race where experience really counted. The gorgeous classic 43m ketch Rebecca, which was designed by German Frers, and built at Pendennis Shipyard, has participated in many yacht races worldwide. Their well-rehearsed team, composed of experienced former and current yacht skippers, has brought them onto the winners’ podium at numerous Buckets. They chose the conservative route, carrying up on deck and rigging three different spinnakers, and in the end, although they could have chosen a more aggressive approach, went with a heavier sail, but at least, brought it back on deck safe and sound. From my point of view riding on board as an ‘extra’, the swath she cut through the eleven vessel Elegantes de Mer class, with a start as second-to-last place, and finishing right in the middle provided a fantastic view of the entire fleet as we chased and caught up with most of the yachts on the course today.

The newly formed Mademoiselles de la Mer class, dominated by no less than ten Dubois designed beauties, saw a very excited Ed Dubois chortling over his very first ever Bucket race win on Lady B, snagging both first in class and first over all. Ganesha and Salperton IV came in at 2nd and 3rd place respectively. With the vast quantity of yacht owners they make happy year after year – not to mention the aesthetic satisfaction they bring to their legion of fans worldwide - they deserve lots of prizes. Congrats to him and his great Dubois team!

Photograph of yachts sailingIn Les Grandes Dames, a/k/a the Perini Navi class, there was a battle of titans, as two of the Bucket founder captains, Tim Laughridge and Ian Craddock did guest helmsman duty on Parsifal III and Antara. The light variable winds did not at all favor these elegant, stately beauties, yet that did not stop them from battling mightily all throughout the race course. Capt. Timmy snagged a First in class with some quite aggressive driving. Axia, with her multi-generation family team, their dogged hard work, and long-time Bucket participation, well merited their close 2nd in class. The sleek Panthalassa rounded out 3rd place in Les Grandes.

Adela, another long-time favourite Bucket boat, swept to first in Les Elegantes, with Blue Too and This Is Us chasing them closely. Overall winners were Lady B, Adela, and Mari-Cha III. The newly instituted daily prize givings were well-attended by many still soggy Bucketeers.

The rain stopped just in time for the chamois to be wielded, the champagne popped, and hors d’oeuvres to be prepared for the Yacht Hop, which due to some serious security measures, remained very civilized. Very popular were Bliss, Barracuda and Parsifal III, but as usual – the party winner favours always go to those dancing fools on Antara. Their theme this year was Motown, and they had the sound system, the tunes, the bling and the hairdos to carry it off in style.

The sun is out for Day Two of the Saint Barths Bucket 2012. We’re all looking forward to enjoying another great day out on the water. See you on the race course!


23 March 2012

Saint Barths Bucket Day One is ahead for the spectacular 47 strong yacht fleet – wishing everyone a great day out on the water!

Something Old, Something New, Something Refit, Something Blue — J Class

By Norma Trease

Photograph of four J Class yachts sailing aroundWhen talking about the ‘match race’ for J Class yachts today, Bucket Race Committee Chairman Peter Craig said it just right in but a few words: “it was quite a sight!” An understatement if there ever was one, for to see four of these simply awe-inspiring yachts out sailing on the turquoise Caribbean waters was probably closer to a holy experience for anyone who has any interest in the history of yachting. In this environment, with St. Barths packed with many gorgeous yachts, and passionate yachtsmen and women thick on the water and the docks, there were plenty feeling that wonderful big J vibe.

J Class Yachts have a special place in yachting lore, which still resonates today thanks to the efforts both some dedicated yacht owners and the J Class Association which since 2000 has worked tirelessly to bring these floating legends back to life. Only ten of these graceful bohemoths were built to race in the Americas Cups during the 1930’s with several more designed and tank tested, but only three survived being scrapped during the WWII. There are now seven sailing today, with one more under construction, and three in design, including the recently announced “Super J” Cheveyo, a collaboration between S&S and Spirit Yachts, which will proudly carry the designation J 1.

Photograph of J Class yacht sailing aroundOn Wednesday, those of us fortunate enough to witness this incredible race were treated to seeing four J Class beauties racing together in an excitingly close race, carefully orchestrated the day before Bucket racing begins in earnest tomorrow. They will also be sailing again in days ahead as part of the Bucket  fleet– all leading up the much anticipated J Class races happening this summer on the Solent, to be held throughout  June and July, culminating in the new Hundred Guineas Cup (which would later become known as the America’s Cup, the oldest sporting trophy in existence. ) Todays race is itself an historic occasion, bringing together four J’s for the first time in over 75 years.

Many of us have for many years already been enjoying watching Ranger in action, with her tight teamwork and a very loyal crew who have gathered at regattas worldwide since her launch several years ago as the first  new J, based on the plans of the original Ranger. Newport-based yachtswomen extraordinaire Elizabeth Myers rescued the hull of Endeavour in the 1980’s, and her re-launch in 1989, after a complete re-build by Royal Huisman helped spark renewed interest in these classic remnants of yachting days gone - but quite obviously not forgotten.  Endeavour has just returned to the Northern hemisphere after a total overhaul including new masts, decks and other major refit items in the sailing mecca of New Zealand – looking even more beautiful than ever. Black hulled Hanuman, built for another extremely serious yachtsman, Jim Clark, was also a new hull, built as required to conform to the original J Class designs. Truly spectacular J Valsheda, yet another of the rare remaining originals has also been totally refit, and re-launched in her full glory just in time to start this exciting J Class racing season.

Photograph of J Class yacht sailingIt wasn’t just the sight of these historic phenomenons sailing together that raised the heart rates of the many observers out enjoying the show – for this was a real race. For those of us fortunate enough to be invited to view the spectacle in style from the deck of the committee boat Rena, just the sight of four Js coming across the starting line within seconds of each other was already incredible, but then for two hours, over a 19 mile course, they continued to battle in close formation, finishing again within bare minutes of each other, with the finish in winning order: Endeavour, Valsheda, Ranger, and not even one boat length behind, Hanuman bringing in fourth place. A worthy and exciting race in any regatta, but this fleet obviously made a special day even more breath-taking.

Sadly, a serious injury one of the crew members of Valsheda cast a sad spell over this festive day, but in true sporting style, he apparently insisted that Valsheda finish the race before he was whisked off the hospital. Our prayers go to this brave crewman for a speedy recovery, and to his fellow crew and owner to help him in this tough journey ahead.

Today, Friday is Bucket Day One. Everything has changed, for in a surprise move, the Bucket Committee, in consultation with the Big Five builders, skippers and owners, decided to add a fourth class.  So today the 47 vessel strong fleet will be broken up according to Jim Teeters Bucket Racing System as Grandes Dames, Les Gazelles, Les Elegantes or Les Mademoiselles de la Mer. So far, early in the morning, there’s not a puff of breeze, but hopefully along with the predicted rain, we’ll also see some wind.

The kick-off event on the docks last night attracted a couple of hundred sailors, ready to commune and celebrate with like-minded friends from near and far. The Owners Soiree, held for the first time at La Plage, was also extremely well attended - so everyone is properly lubricated for a great day of racing ahead!

As our dear Bucket co-founder , Hank Halsted says: let’s  call up the Wind Gods to bring us some breeze.


22 March 2012

Practice Makes Perfect

By Norma Trease

Photographs by Robbert Verboon / Harken

If it takes a village to raise a child, then how many villages does it take to prepare for a Bucket Regatta? A lot of effort goes into organizing not only the event itself, with the complex logistics of registering the vessels, identifying the crews, planning the endless parties, ceremonies, etc. Then comes what each and every yacht puts into their own pre-race practice programs, not to mention what it took to build these yachts to begin with. Today, two days ahead of Saint Barths Bucket Regatta Day #1, the Bucket Committee is in full swing, and although the docks of Gustavia Harbour are not quite as packed full of this amazing fleet as they will be in days ahead, there are many yachts already in place, which have spent literally weeks and months in planning their strategies. Some rivalries go way back.

BlissNaturally enough, when you have a fleet which includes for instance, ten yachts designed by the iconic Dubois, a large handful of some of the very ‘au courant’ designers such as Andre Hoek and Philippe Briand, and of course, designers of fame including Ted Fontaine, and German Frers  each nicely represented with multiple entries, this is what the French call an ‘embarras du choix’.  Imagine the conflicted loyalties they must face with their gorgeous creations having been built at any number of different shipyards worldwide – and then there are the owners!  For we all know that every Bucket yacht is the most beautiful, the most forward-thinking, the best equipped, exhibiting strongest teamwork  – each simply the best of its kind. So what’s a designer to do, and how do they choose on which yacht to go sailing? It’s a tough life, this big boat racing!

Photgraph of crew member working on ship's mastSimilar must be the angst of the “Big Five”, the shipyards who many years ago banded together to support and maintain the special ambiance of the Bucket through on-going sponsorship: Royal Huisman, Perini Navi, Alloy, Holland Yachtbouw and Vitters. Royal Huisman, for instance epitomizes the Bucket vibe, with six entries this year – in all three classes – ranging in size from 58m to 34m – showing  an amazing diversity of vessels, including sleek speed machines Unfurled and Hanuman, to traditional beauty Meteor; and in her 2nd Bucket, the truly phenomenal Twizzle. Alloy Yachts, pride of New Zealand, have four entries, penned by the diverse talents of Dykstra, Ron Holland, Ted Fontaine and Dubois. Vitters, long familiar with the winners’ podium at various regattas, has three vessels making a splash this year, including 55m black beauty Marie, and a pair of Dubois designs Koo and Lady B, at 43m and 45m respectively – surely there’s some wagers behind the scenes? Holland Jachtbouw has one of her most spectacular offerings yet, bringing to this event their lovely new schooner, 62m Athos, the latest creation of very prolific Andre Hoek, which has been amazing crowds all over the Med already since last summer.

You can practically call Les Grandes Dames de la Mer class the Perini Navi class, with nine of the ten entries delivered by  this ever-popular Italian builder of supremely comfortable sailing yachts, most in the 40-50+m range – but they too show respectable racing creds with their Baby Bucket boat, the excitingly competitive 38m P2, drawn by Philippe Briand. Perini Navi shows equal – and fantastic – hospitality to one and all with their nightly pasta suppers in the Perini Navi villa – definitely one “the” invitations in this always socially overloaded event. Is that their secret weapon to avoiding competition? Rounding out the Grandes Dames class is the plucky S&S Axia, whose loyal team works very hard each year on not only race training, but on their team theme – which in past years have included Greek God/desses and Viking. (The owner told me on the docks last night that this year, the team theme this year is “Nudes” – she was surely pulling my leg!)

Photograph of RangerThe race crews, who include of course the permanent yacht crew, are augmented by “rock star” professional racers – and it’s a serious competition when you see the likes of Brad Butterworth, Dawn Riley or Peter Holmberg on board – still more bragging rights ‘my rock star is more famous than yours’ kind of thing. Every sailmaker, rigging company - and of course – representatives of the builders and designers –  also use their on-deck  skills to augment the racing programs of the vessels who sport their gear or their looks – for these yachts represent the ultimate calling card for the dozens of companies and dozens of individuals who have a hand in creating and sailing them to (hopeful) glory. Many of these highly-sought after professionals use Buckets and other regattas as a cornerstone of client contact, inarguably a pretty nice way of doing business! Not to mention a great way to learn more about your creations, when you see them in hot racing action.

Another great example of Bucket Regatta teamwork in action is the recently published 25th anniversary Bucket Book, A Celebration of Megayacht Racing. A compilation of the most experienced marine photographers and writers working today, and edited by the fabulous team of Jill Bobrow, Dana Jinkins and Sandro Vittelli, this is sure to become a collectors item for any fan of fine yachts and yacht racing. This high quality coffee table book features historical images from the good old days on Nantucket forward, with features on the yachts themselves, the builders, the ratings system, the locations, the parties – and of course, the hundreds of beautiful people who make this wonderful Bucket world come to life every year. You can get your copy of the Bucket Book at the registration tent, or online at www.bucketregattas.com . Just don’t forget to ask your favourite writer or contributor for an autograph!

Today is the exciting J-Boat Class match race, with four of these phenomenal vessels duking it out on the azure waters of this Caribbean jewel of an island. The rest of the Bucket fleet will be out doing – what else? Practicing for what is surely another perfect weekend ahead! Also – stay tuned for some breaking Bucket news coming very soon.

Bucket blogger Norma Trease has participated in dozens of Bucket Regattas and other regattas over the last twenty five years – in between following and sharing her sailing passion, she works as Director of Sales and Marketing for Salamanca Marine.


15 March 2012

Building Bucket Fever!

By Norma Trease

Emails are already flying back and forth from yachts, to skippers, owners, race crew, the Race Committee, to hotels on island and everything in between, just a short week in advance of the always breathlessly anticipated Saint Barths Bucket, March 22-25, 2012. Soon, yachts, owners and crew will be descending on this verdant little slice of Caribbean heaven, eager to share the tremendous excitement and pure sailing joy that is Bucket Racing.

Just announced by the Race Chairman Peter Craig is a spectacular fleet of more than 40 vessels, representing builders and designers worldwide. Once again, the fleet will be split into three classes: Les Gazelles, Les Grandes Dames, and Les Elegantes. Needless to say, there will be a huge variety in the fleet, which this year will range from 27 to 62m LOA. He has published a detailed description of the various factors involved in the devilishly complicated task of calibrating the classes, so for more details, please do check https://bucketregattas.com/stbarths/entries

Everyone has a soft spot for one repeat Bucket boat or another, and back this year will be fleet favourites Antara, Andromeda La Dea, Axia, Parsifal III, Ranger and Sojana to mention but a few. A couple of newer beauties will be making their second Bucket appearances including Huismans Twizzle, and Hanuman; joined by Hoek-designed Marie, who fired up the crowds last year with their spectacular air shows of historic WWII planes. Making Bucket debuts this year are Holland Yachtbouw schooner Athos, at 62m the largest Bucket Boat 2012; and of course, it wouldn’t be a Bucket without a couple of brand-new Perini Navis, Clan VIII and Fidelis.

So, Bucket fans worldwide, prepare yourselves for the best week of the year coming up very soon, an annual treat for racing fans, and lovers of beautiful yachts alike. So it’s Bon Voyage and A Bientot until we see you next in Saint Barths!

Follow the Bucket Blogs throughout the week at www.bucketregattas.com