WIN THE PARTY
With a stated goal to ‘win the party’, this is a regatta where the emphasis is firmly on fun and the focus on owners – who are sometimes indistinguishable from crew as they join the fray, sporting boat colours and even taking over the helm.
IN THE BEGINNING…
An offshoot of the Nantucket Bucket, St Barth’s beginnings in 1995 were informal, with a fleet of four yachts and a bit of fishing on the side. The more formalised modern Bucket has retained much of its originality and non-commercial flavour.
REGATTA RULES
An invitational regatta with only 40 places (recently increased from 30) for sailing yachts of more than 30 metres means the organisers are inundated with applications, and those who get in relish the chance to share in the camaraderie and exhilaration of sailing their magnificent yachts in a spirit of fun with just a tinge of competition.
The pursuit starts elicit some grumbling, but what a spectacle they create… And although the organisers keep emphasising that ‘winning is not important’, there are serious duels to be fought between friendly rivals.
PARTY CIRCUIT
Back on shore the party circuit requires some dedication, with yacht hops and parties at private villas overlooking the ocean, not to mention shopping expeditions and talking tactics over beers.
Get your application in well ahead of the next Bucket in March 2012 because there is a scramble even before the Notice of Race is published.
The 2011 Bucket
The 2011 Bucket saw yachts ranging from 30 to 88 metres take part, from Grande Dames to Gazelles and the newest Bucket class, Les Elegantes des Mers, with competitive racers such as P2 and Leopard on the water.
Overall winner in the 2011 Bucket was Virago, which also won the Les Gazelles racing class. Axia triumphed in the Les Grand Dames cruising class, while Rebecca took the honours in the Les Elegantes classic class. The Alloy Cup for best performance by an Alloy yacht went to Blue Too.
The next Bucket takes place 22 – 25 March 2012, St Barth’s, French Caribbean.
For more information visit www.bucketregattas.com
Events News St Barth’s Bucket 2011 race round-upConsistently good winds made for excellent sailing conditions producing some new winners early on, but Virago sailed away with Les Gazelles... and The Bucket itself! |
Events Videos St Barth’s Bucket 2011 videoAn overview of the annual St Barth's Bucket regatta, which is the perfect mix of friendly sailing rivalry between 40 sailing yachts in the water and parties galore on shore |
Events Calendar Les Voiles de Saint-TropezThe classiest of yachting events gathers together the most extraordinary modern sailing boats with the most beautiful traditional yachts to do battle in the Bay of Saint-Tropez |
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