This morning at the docks in Gustavia Harbour saw 17 of 38 superyachts get ready for the 2014 St Barths Bucket. It took well more than an hour for the lot to leave, one by one and in planned order, but only after divers had cleared their bow anchors, allowing them to join the balance of the fleet, the 20-some-odd-mile race around the island of St. Barths on the Caribbean Sea kicked off.
Mega yacht Seahawk at the St. Barths Bucket 2014 - Photo by Tim Wright/photoaction.com
Yesterday’s forecast of heavy winds, which could have possibly posed a threat to racing, thankfully did not come to fruition, and a more accommodating 20-knot breeze allowed the four classes (Gazelles, Elegantes, Mademoiselles and Grandes Dames) to strut their extraordinarily beautiful stuff in front of a large spectator fleet and curious eyes that peered from various vantage points along the shore and on the cliffs and peaks of the island’s mere 21 sq. kilometers (8 sq. miles) of volcanic land.
“Everyone was a little nervous, but it ended up being a really nice day,” said John Barrett, navigator aboard the 27.5m/90′ yawl Bequia, which won the Mademoiselle class and was the very first yacht to cross the line after approximately two and ½ hours of racing, with the 37m/122′ charter yacht Moonbird tantalizingly close behind. “With pursuit racing that’s how it should be,” said Barrett, estimating a 10 second delta between the two yachts. “It means they got the ratings (based on the international superyacht rule) right.”
Barrett described seeing the Grandes Dames, in the class starting before his, taking long tacks upwind to Roches Rouges before cracking off to Les Grenadiers and subsequent way points of Ile Toc Vers and Ile Fourchue (located between St. Barths and St. Martin), while Bequia chose toshort-tack closer to shore to minimize the effects of a lumpy sea state. After the rounding of Ile Fourchue, it was then a “drag race” back to the finish. (The Grande Dames sailed an additional 3.5nm on a course that took them around Roche Table, Groupers and Petite Groupers before heading back.) “It was especially challenging near Shell Beach where the wind coming across the island got patchy. One minute we were standing up straight and another minute we were on our ear.”
Mega yacht Seahawk, luxury yacht Marie and superyacht Visione won the Grande Dames, Elegantes and Gazelles classes, respectively.
“We are 550 tons, which is pretty heavy,” said David Powys, the Australian tactician aboard the newly launched superyacht Seahawk, adding that gusts of 25-26 knots were quite handy for moving the boat along. “To be honest, today was our day (as opposed to tomorrow, which promises to be lighter), and if we hadn’t have won, we would’ve been disappointed. As for our rating, we couldn’t have been more happy, as there were six of us who finished within a minute or two.”
Powys likened the Bucket to a traditional car rally where very good friends meet, enjoy some social events and then race in ernesty yet with great reverence to the spirit of tradition. “This race gets more and more competitive each year, but we have to remember its original essence.”
Organizers stress that the success of the Bucket Regattas (there is one each summer in Newport, R.I., as well) rests on an emphasis that is more upon wholesome fun and safe racing than winning. To that point, tonight, after daily awards are presented, the race will be for best of show at the much-anticipated dock party and fleet open house.
Major sponsors for the St. Barths Bucket are Alloy Yachts, Holland Jachtbouw, Perini Navi, Royal Huisman and Vitters Shipyard.
Supporting sponsors are Burgess, Camper & Nicholson, Doehle Yachts, Doyle, Future Fibres, Newport Shipyard, North Sails, Pantaenius, Pendennis, Rybovich, Skuld Yacht, the Superyacht Report, Tradewind Aviation, US Trust, and ZIS Insurance.
Taittinger Champagne and Barbeyrolles Rose are official suppliers.
The four class winners will each receive a beautiful, handcrafted Ship’s Bell Clock from Chelsea Clock.
New to the 2014 Bucket – The Golden Pineapple Award, Sponsored by Hotel St Barth Isle de France. The Bucket Directors have added this award to the 2014 edition of the St Barths Bucket to reward an essential element of the event, who will WIN THE PARTY?
Racing continues on Saturday March 29 and for the first time; live race tracking enhances the Bucket experience for friends, families and fans of the Bucket.
