This year’s St. Barth’s Bucket is set to kick off on the tiny French Island of St. Barths in the Caribbean today, on Friday, March 28, and will continue through Sunday, March 30. The famously fabulous four-day pursuit regatta will once again host the world’s most extraordinary yachts.
Perini Navi superyacht Seahawk to attend St Barths Bucket for the first time - Photo: Studio Borlenghi/Francesco Ferri
This year, a staggering 38 entries have signed up, from the smallest at 27 meters/88 feet (both the Oyster Yacht Lush, designed by Rob Humphreys, and the Pendennis built charter yacht Wavelength, designed by Ron Holland) to the largest at 66 meters/216.5 feet (the Baltic mega yacht Hetairos, designed by Dykstra Naval Architects). Indeed, these and every yacht in the spectrum are nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Photograph of St. BarthsEight “new launches” from 2012 and 2013 are new to racing here at St. Barth’s Bucket and epitomize what this event is all about: the evolution of superyacht sailing. They include Lush; two brand-new Perinis superyacht State of Grace (40m/131′ Holland) and superyacht Seahawk (58m/190′ Holland); two 2012 Vitters Shipyard builds luxury yacht Ganesha (46m/150′ Dubois) and superyacht Inoui (33m/108′ Briand); two 2012 launches from Royal Huisman Shipyard sailing yacht Pumula (38m/121′ Dubois) and luxury yacht Kamaxitha (49m/180′ Dykstra); and the Fitzroy-built yacht Ohana (50 m/164′ Dubois).
Luxury yacht State of Grace under sail
“When the St. Barth’s Bucket first started in 1995, owners primarily built yachts to get around the world safely and comfortably,” said Perini Sales Director Fabrizio Sgariglia, who represents the builder with the most yachts (7) represented here. “The third factor now is to build a yacht that can stop and do a regatta like The Bucket.” Sgariglia explained that this means pushing the envelope on technological improvements and performance, and he added that the fun thing about the Bucket Rule is that old and new boats can still compete against each other fairly.
Tactician/navigator Dirk Johnson, who has indulged in the traditions of the St. Barth’s Bucket a dozen times, is excited about sailing on one of the “original St. Barths Bucket yachts,” charter yacht Andromeda (46m/150′ Perini), which was built in 1990. “It used to be the biggest yacht imaginable when it was launched.”
Sailing yacht Inoui - Photo by Gianfranco Forza
It is sailing yacht Whitehawk (28m/91′ Bruce King), however, that Hank Halsted, co-director of the event, says has as great, if not greater, of a historic significance in being here. “It was built in 1978 and won the very last Nantucket Bucket (where the St. Barth’s Bucket traces its origins) held in 2001. It is good to see her here.”
Major sponsors for the St. Barths Bucket are Alloy Yachts, Holland Jachtbouw, Perini Navi, Royal Huisman and Vitters Shipyard.
Royal Huisman Pumula Yacht - Photo by Cory Silken
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.
Racing begins on Friday March 28 and for the first time; live race tracking will enhance the Bucket experience for friends, families and fans of the Bucket.
