This year’s St Barths Bucket Regatta will kick off on March 28. This popular annual Caribbean yachting event will boast the latest in superyacht designs, together with true classics. Thirty-five yachts are ready to join the festivities as well as competing.
Racing begins on Thursday March 28 when five J Class yachts head for the starting line. This will be the first gathering of five or more J’s since 1937!
Three more races are planned, with all yachts racing in four separate classes -Les Mademoiselles des Mers, Les Grandes Dames des Mers, Les Gazelles des Mers, and the J Class.
The largest yacht is the 88m Perini Navi built charter yacht Maltese Falcon. Eleven of the current entries are 50 meters or larger. Among new boats to the St Barths Bucket is the 31m Dubois Naval Architects designed sailing yacht Sarafin and the 31m Newport Bucket winner, superyacht Indio.
MALTESE FALCON
Maltese Falcon
The around the island courses create spectacular opportunities to view these breathtaking vessels under sail. The racing format has been modified somewhat, with the start times set so that the classes should finish together. This change is designed to make the racing both more competitive and safer.
Now in their 27th year, the Bucket regattas attract the crème de la crème of yacht builders from every sailing nation, with several builders boasting multiple entries. The “Big Five” sailing yacht builders (Perini Navi, Royal Huisman, Holland Jachtbouw, Alloy Yachts and Vitters) have for many years supported the Bucket Regattas, playing a meaningful role in growing the Bucket and helping maintain the non-commercial atmosphere, another significant hallmark of Bucket races.
One of Executive Director Tim Laughridge’s goals is to ensure that the renowned Spirit of the Bucket is retained while providing participants with great class racing. He’ll be helming charter yacht Parsifal III and racing to win, but reminds everyone that the overriding theme is to sail safe and win the party!
The four class winners of the 2013 St Barths Bucket will each receive a Ship’s Bell Clock from Chelsea Clock.
The Bucket Books are still available! All the special fun, traditions, and excitement of the Bucket Regattas can be found in one stunning coffee table book. Created to mark the Bucket’s 25th anniversary, it’s brimming with breathtaking photos of yachts racing around the marks and memorable visuals from all those unique parties. There are many entertaining anecdotes from the yacht owners, guests, crews, spectators, and organizers.
