Hanuman, Overall Winner Newport Bucket Regatta 2010 ( Photo by George Bekris )
Overall Winners
1st Place Hanuman
2nd Place White Wings
3rd Place Clevelander
Les Gazelles – Racing Class
1st Hanuman
2nd White Wings
3rd Clevelander
Les Grand Dames – Cruising Class
1st Meteor
2nd Azzura
3rd Gloria
Vitter’s Shipyard Seamanship Trophy
Easterner
Chippewa Bomb
Azzura
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Descriptions of Awards
Overall
These awards, first through third, are presented for the best performance overall for combined results, all classes, all races.
Les Gazelles & Les Grand Dames
In 2005, when the Bucket Regatta grew beyond all expectations and the fleet doubled in size, it was determined that the yachts should be split into classes that considered their essential attributes. However, the distinction of “Cruising Division” and “Racing Division” seemed just, oh so pedestrian, for a fleet of this stature. In the RC’s opinion, the designation of “Les Gazelles des Mers” for the Racing Division and “Les Grandes Dammes des Mers” for the Cruising Division, seemed far more appropriate.
Each Division has trophies presented for best performance overall, first through third.
Vitters Seamanship Trophy
Awarded to the yacht that demonstrates the best seamanship and sportsmanship in the interest of promoting safety on the race course. All participants in the Bucket acknowledge that superyachts have serious limitations operating safely in close quarters and therefore, the RC has always valued safety well above performance. This award will recognize the yacht that best demonstrates that understanding. It also goes to prove that nice guys don’t always finish last!!
White Wings Winner of Day One Of Newport Bucket Regatta 2010 (Photo by George Bekris)
The 2010 Newport Bucket Regatta was launched in a Carnival Atmosphere on Friday evening with three significant splashes. Our Ratings Guru, Jim Teeters, Charlie Dana, our host at Newport Shipyard and race director Hank Halsted, were sacrificed to the “dunk tank” where amid cheers and laughter they were dumped one by one, into the tank with our guest juggler, fire thrower and stilt walker entertaining the crew all the while. With light wind forecast for the weekend, the Skippers meeting also called for a special tribute to our patron God, Neptune, wherein all in attendance served up a toast of vintage Calvados – with a tot into the sea, and a hearty cheer for the wind gods.
Clevelander upwind on Rhode Island Sound (Photo by George Bekris)
Unfortunately, six of sixteen yachts which were entered in the regatta were forced in the past week to withdraw for a bizarre set of circumstances involving two serious engine problems, a cruising permit issue, a death in a family and a couple other disabling events. Regardless, ten boats arrived at the starting line, five “Grandes Dames” and five “Gazelles” filled the cruising and racing classes.
Saturday was a sparkling fall day with a brisk 15 knot northerly blowing in the morning, forecast to diminish substantially. The starting line was well recognizable, with magnificent 160′ Trinity Motoryacht, VITA, as committee boat, loaned to the Bucket by the Owner of J Class, RANGER. Thank you John!! The two classes sailed courses of 14 and 19 miles respectively, from the same start to the same finish, with reasonably close racing within the classes.
Even sailing the extra five miles, the Gazelles dominated the day with the W 76, WHITE WINGS finishing first in class and overall, a minute and a half ahead of the classic 12 Meter, EASTERNER, driven by Paul Callahan, director of the “Sail to Prevail Foundation” which uses sailing as an instructional format for the handicapped. HANUMAN, the J Boat by Royal Huisman Shipyard finished third.
Meteor on Day One Of Newport Bucket Regatta 2010 (Photo by George Bekris)
Among the Grandes Dames, the Royal Huisman 169′ Schooner, METEOR won her class by over five minutes, having sailed a tactically beautiful race. The yacht is simply, a visual feast! PALAWAN, the Little Harbor 75′ Sloop finished second with AURELIUS, the 77′ Modern Classic Dykstra design sloop, in third.
Gloria crossing the start line in the Newport Bucket Regatta 2010 (Photo by George Bekris)
In sum, this was a perfect fall day of sailing off Newport with sun, crisp breezes that never died, thanks to our patron, Neptune, and a good time had by all!
