“Main-mast staysail up. Do not unfurl. Raise your hands if you hear me.” Captain Tony Brookes calmly called his instructions into a hand-held from one of his dual on-deck navigation stations near the aft quarter of Athos, the 62 meter Hoek-designed Holland Jachtbouw that he commands. His crew with headsets faithfully obeyed, shooting their hands in the air before quickly jumping into action. So went the day that started with pouring rain and segued into one of the windiest here yet, taking the wind gauge to 28 knots and Athos to speeds as high as 15.8.
The owner and his rep Gary Veenman from Holland alternated at the helm, giving each other much-needed breaks from the giant wheel that played tug of war with them. Three trimmers scooted among the 40-some-odd crew, working the joy sticks on their remote control “God boxes” that controlled the hydraulic operations of winches for hoisting and dropping sails as well as sheeting them in and letting them out. For someone who normally sails 40-footers, it surely would have been something strange and wonderful to behold, but for those who regularly sail in this rarified world of superyachts it was just another approach to racing one of the most magnificent sailing yachts on the oceans today.
Athos’s closest competitor today in the Mademoiselles class at the annual St. Barths Bucket was the 55 metre twin-masted Adela, the steel hulled Dykstra designed Pendennis build that represents a historically significant salvage and rebuild of the 1903 original. Adela had won this 10-boat class yesterday, the first day of racing, and won again today, crossing the finish line first, after the traditional pursuit start had the smallest and slowest boats starting first and the larger and faster boats starting at specific time intervals afterward to try and catch up. Athos, which had finished seventh yesterday, was quite pleased with a second-place finish after being fifth in the pursuit-start lineup. That moved them to fifth overall behind Zefira, Salperton, and Lady B.
“No one caught us from behind and we passed two others, so we must be doing something right,” said Athos’s Brookes. “It was a hard-work race today. Windy and wet, and everyone’s uncomfortable but they still have to concentrate on the job they are doing. We had some problems (with the spinnaker hoist) but we dealt with them. It was more like the North Sea instead of the Caribbean there for a while.”

Adela (Photo by Carlo Borlenghi / Studio Borlenghi)
Aboard Adela, Kim “Shags” Morten conceded that the Adela team can sail well in any direction and in any conditions because they have the choice of sails to make the right calls in any given situation. “Our biggest competition is Athos; we think it comes down to the crew performance,” said Morten, adding that he has competed in every Bucket to date, the last three on Adela. “We now have top-of-the-line sails, a carbon fiber mast and a team that has sailed together in the last three superyacht regattas.”
In Grand Dames class, Georgia rose to the top of the scoreboard after taking today’s race. Blue Too, which was leading going into today, retired after a crew was injured and fell to seventh with a finish score today of 13.

Cape Arrow in the 2013 St. Barths Bucket (Photo by Carlo Borlenghi / Studio Borllenghi)
In the Gazelle class, Visione maintained its first position overall with a fifth-place finish today. However, they are tied on point score (6) with both P2 and Cape Arrow, with Unfurled only one point behind.
Hanuman claimed another bullet, its third, in the J Boat class today. When asked what was different about today, tactician Kevin Burnham joked, “Nothing, we won the race!” But in all honesty, the win didn’t come easy. “The biggest challenge in pushing that type of machine around the race course (in today’s conditions) is that stuff gets shocked-waved,” said Burnham. “We blew up a kite — it just exploded into a million pieces.”
The crews on all 36 Bucket boats are glad to be back on terra firma for tonight’s pirate-themed “Bucket Bash.” The party should do its part to prepare them for tomorrow’s Wrong-Way Around (the island) Course.
Results as of Saturday
PRELIMINARY PURSUIT as of 30 March, 2013 – UPDATED MARCH 31 0800
Race 2: Not So Wiggley Course
Saturday 30-Mar-13 PRELIMINARY
Start Sequence: B
Results: Race 2 Results: Cumulative
GRAND DAMES (Long Course 27.2 nm)
Race 2 FINISH TIME Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total
Points TIME Delta Points Points Points Points Rank
GEORGIA 1 2:36:58 PM 0:00:00 GEORGIA 3 1 4 1
PARSIFAL III* 2 2:39:25 PM 0:02:27 PARSIFAL III 4 2 6 2
AXIA 3 2:46:15 PM 0:09:17 PANTHALASSA 2 8 10 3
ZENJI 4 2:48:42 PM 0:11:44 AXIA 7 3 10 4
ANDROMEDA LA DEA 5 2:51:48 PM 0:14:50 ZENJI 8 4 12 5
PANTHALASSA* ** 8 2:54:09 PM 0:17:11 SALUTE 6 7 13 6
SALUTE 7 3:13:48 PM 0:36:50 BLUE TOO 1 13 14 7
LUNA 8 3:15:05 PM 0:38:07 ANDROMEDA LA DEA 9 5 14 8
ROSEHEARTY 9 3:15:51 PM 0:38:53 SILENCIO 5 13 18 9
MALTESE FALCON 10 3:22:00 PM 0:45:02 LUNA 10 8 18 10
BLUE TOO 13 DNF N/A MALTESE FALCON 11 10 21 11
SILENCIO 13 DNF N/A ROSEHEARTY 13 9 22 12
MADEMOISELLES (Long Course 27.2 nm)
Race 2 FINISH TIME Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total
Points TIME Delta Points Points Points Points Rank
ADELA 1 2:46:45 PM 0:00:00 ADELA 1 1 2 1
ATHOS 2 2:51:57 PM 0:05:12 ZEFIRA 4 3 7 2
ZEFIRA 3 2:54:32 PM 0:07:47 SALPERTON 2 6 8 3
KOO 4 2:56:12 PM 0:09:27 LADY B 3 5 8 4
LADY B 5 2:57:36 PM 0:10:51 ATHOS 7 2 9 5
SALPERTON 6 3:04:39 PM 0:17:54 KOO 10 4 14 6
WILD HORSES 7 3:08:22 PM 0:21:37 SARAFIN’ 6 8 14 7
SARAFIN’ 8 3:08:40 PM 0:21:55 PRANA 5 10 15 8
SYMMETRY 9 3:11:55 PM 0:25:10 WILD HORSES 8 7 15 9
PRANA 10 3:21:03 PM 0:34:18 SYMMETRY 9 9 18 10
GAZELLES (Long Course 27.2 nm)
Race 2 FINISH TIME Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total
Points TIME Delta Points Points Points Points Rank
UNFURLED 1 3:03:21 PM 0:00:00 VISIONE 1 5 6 1
REBECCA 2 3:05:24 PM 0:02:03 P2 2 4 6 2
CAPE ARROW 3 3:06:24 PM 0:03:03 CAPE ARROW 3 3 6 3
P2 4 3:07:13 PM 0:03:52 UNFURLED 6 1 7 4
VISIONE 5 3:10:12 PM 0:06:51 REBECCA 8 2 10 5
INDIO 6 3:11:44 PM 0:08:23 INDIO 4 6 10 6
LEOPARD3 7 3:16:27 PM 0:13:06 CHRISCO 5 8 13 7
CHRISCO 8 3:16:42 PM 0:13:21 LEOPARD3 7 7 14 8
BAIURDO VI 10 DNS N/A BAIURDO VI 9 10 19 9
* 5 MINUTE PENALTY FOR OVER THE LINE EARLY
** PANTHALASSA TOOK A 20% SCORING PENALTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SI 18.2
Race 1: Around the Island
Friday 29-Mar-13
Start Sequence: C
Results: Race 1
GRAND DAMES (Short Course 17.0 nm)
Race 1 FINISH TIME
Points TIME Delta
BLUE TOO 1 2:06:51 PM 0:00:00
PANTHALASSA 2 2:17:46 PM 0:10:55
GEORGIA 3 2:18:20 PM 0:11:29
PARSIFAL III 4 2:22:08 PM 0:15:17
SILENCIO 5 2:22:25 PM 0:15:34
SALUTE 6 2:24:35 PM 0:17:44
AXIA 7 2:24:48 PM 0:17:57
ZENJI 8 2:31:45 PM 0:24:54
ANDROMEDA LA DEA 9 2:33:55 PM 0:27:04
LUNA 10 2:38:20 PM 0:31:29
MALTESE FALCON 11 2:42:43 PM 0:35:52
ROSEHEARTY 13 DNS N/A
MADEMOISELLES
(Medium Course 20.8 nm)
Race 1 FINISH TIME
Points TIME Delta
ADELA 1 2:15:18 PM 0:00:00
SALPERTON 2 2:18:07 PM 0:02:49
LADY B 3 2:23:35 PM 0:08:17
ZEFIRA 4 2:27:51 PM 0:12:33
PRANA 5 2:28:10 PM 0:12:52
SARAFIN’ 6 2:29:28 PM 0:14:10
ATHOS 7 2:31:01 PM 0:15:43
WILD HORSES 8 2:33:05 PM 0:17:47
SYMMETRY 9 2:35:40 PM 0:20:22
KOO 10 2:37:35 PM 0:22:17
GAZELLES
(Medium Course 20.8 nm)
Race 1 FINISH TIME
Points TIME Delta
VISIONE 1 2:29:51 PM 0:00:00
P2 2 2:31:55 PM 0:02:04
CAPE ARROW 3 2:32:04 PM 0:02:13
INDIO 4 2:34:02 PM 0:04:11
CHRISCO 5 2:34:29 PM 0:04:38
UNFURLED 6 2:36:47 PM 0:06:56
LEOPARD3 7 2:37:43 PM 0:07:52
REBECCA 8 2:39:32 PM 0:09:41
BAIURDO VI 9 2:41:04 PM 0:11:13
FOLLOW THE J CLASS ON THE WATER: tractrac.com
J Class – PROVISIONAL as of Saturday 30 March
Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Race 4 Total
Points Points Points Points Points Rank
HANUMAN 1 1 1 3 1
LIONHEART 2 2 4 8 2
VELSHEDA 5 3 2 10 3
RANGER 4 5 3 12 4
RAINBOW 3 4 6 13 5
Saturday 30-Mar-13
Results: Race 3 Course Type: CR
Wind Range: Heavy
Start Time: 11:00:00 AM Approx Dist: 29.4 nm
FINISH ELAPSED CORRECTED
Rating TIME TIME TIME Rank
HANUMAN 1.017 2:01:44 PM 3:01:44 3:04:49 1
VELSHEDA 1.013 2:05:22 PM 3:05:22 3:07:47 2
RANGER 1.018 2:04:59 PM 3:04:59 3:08:19 3
LIONHEART 1.021 2:09:03 PM 3:09:03 3:13:01 4
RAINBOW 1.018 8:00:00 PM 9:00:00 DNF 6
Friday 29-Mar-13
Results: Race 2
Course Type: CR
FINISH ELAPSED CORRECTED
Rating TIME TIME TIME
HANUMAN 1.018 1:31:04 PM 2:31:04 2:33:47
LIONHEART 1.020 1:31:48 PM 2:31:48 2:34:50
VELSHEDA 1.014 1:32:50 PM 2:32:50 2:34:58
RAINBOW 1.020 1:34:24 PM 2:34:24 2:37:29
RANGER 1.015 1:35:14 PM 2:35:14 2:37:34
Thursday 28-Mar-13
Results: Race 1
Course Type: WL
Wind Range: Light
Start Time: 12:10:00 PM Approx Dist: 12NM
FINISH ELAPSED CORRECTED
Rating TIME TIME TIME
HANUMAN 1.028 2:21:59 PM 2:11:59 2:15:41
LIONHEART 1.029 2:24:42 PM 2:14:42 2:18:36
RAINBOW 1.034 2:28:09 PM 2:18:09 2:22:51
RANGER 1.012 2:31:38 PM 2:21:38 2:23:20
VELSHEDA 1.018 2:31:39 PM 2:21:39 2:24:12y

Rebecca in 2013 St. Barths Bucket Day 3( Photo by Carlo Borlenghi / Studio Borlenghi )
After all was said and done, it was the J-Class Ranger that took the 2010 Bucket. John Williams and his crew raced consistently and well, earning a well-deserved victory. Second place belonged to the the Perini Navi Andromeda la Dea, with the Perini Navi P2 in third place overall.
The third and final race of the 2010 St. Barths Bucket (the “Wrong Way Around” course) was sailed in conditions very similar to the previous days: fluky winds in the 10 to 15 knot range. The usual noon start was preceded by a couple of Bucket Scholarship holders, thus spoiling Gloria’s virtual deadlock on the Escargot Cup, which was awarded to the consistently sailed Toto. P2 and Unfurled earned second and third place in the Gazelle fleet, while Axia and Hetairos were runners up in the Grande Dames contingent.
It would be a mere redundancy to add that the sailing and the shore side activities were of the customary caliber, with Visione a hands-down winner of the yacht open house on Friday night — after all the rest of the fleet had closed she kept the party going until midnight! We expected marvelous sailing (this is, after all, the Caribbean) and indeed we got it. The combination of St. Barths, 39 megayachts, and the blue skies and waters worked their usual magic!
As Tony Hambrook, Managing Director of Alloy Yacht stated, “This was the best regatta ever, anywhere!”
Results: Race 3
|
Race 3
Points |
Finish Time
|
Time Delta
|
|||
| ANDROMEDA LA DEA |
1
|
3:21:25 PM
|
0:00:00
|
||
| RIELA |
2
|
3:24:27 PM
|
0:03:02
|
||
| HELIOS |
3
|
3:25:10 PM
|
0:03:45
|
||
| METEOR |
4
|
3:26:06 PM
|
0:04:41
|
||
| ANTARA |
5
|
3:28:03 PM
|
0:06:38
|
||
| AVALON |
6
|
3:29:38 PM
|
0:08:13
|
||
| GEORGIA |
7
|
3:30:50 PM
|
0:09:25
|
||
| GLORIA |
8
|
3:33:16 PM
|
0:11:51
|
||
| DSK |
9
|
3:37:26 PM
|
0:16:01
|
||
| RANGER |
10
|
3:37:42 PM
|
0:16:17
|
||
| REBECCA |
11
|
3:38:49 PM
|
0:17:24
|
||
| LIARA |
12
|
3:39:29 PM
|
0:18:04
|
||
| UNFURLED |
13
|
3:39:43 PM
|
0:18:18
|
||
| SALUTE |
14
|
3:40:22 PM
|
0:18:57
|
||
| HIGHLAND BREEZE |
15
|
3:40:45 PM
|
0:19:20
|
||
| P2 |
16
|
3:41:15 PM
|
0:19:50
|
||
| VARSOVIE |
17
|
3:41:16 PM
|
0:19:51
|
||
| SALPERTON IV |
18
|
3:42:01 PM
|
0:20:36
|
||
| WHITE WINGS |
19
|
3:42:11 PM
|
0:20:46
|
||
| AXIA |
20
|
3:43:18 PM
|
0:21:53
|
||
| SOJANA |
21
|
3:44:56 PM
|
0:23:31
|
||
| WHISPER |
22
|
3:46:17 PM
|
0:24:52
|
||
| GANESHA |
23
|
3:47:35 PM
|
0:26:10
|
||
| VISIONE |
24
|
3:47:58 PM
|
0:26:33
|
||
| GHOST |
25
|
3:48:31 PM
|
0:27:06
|
||
| ADELA |
26
|
3:48:43 PM
|
0:27:18
|
||
| HANUMAN |
27
|
3:48:44 PM
|
0:27:19
|
||
| SAUDADE |
28
|
3:48:56 PM
|
0:27:31
|
||
| MYSTERY** |
29
|
3:49:04 PM
|
0:27:39
|
||
| ARTEMIS |
30
|
3:49:39 PM
|
0:28:14
|
||
| WINDCREST |
31
|
3:50:33 PM
|
0:29:08
|
||
| HETAIROS |
32
|
3:52:05 PM
|
0:30:40
|
||
| SHAMOUN |
33
|
3:52:26 PM
|
0:31:01
|
||
| HYPERION |
34
|
3:53:45 PM
|
0:32:20
|
||
| DESTINATION |
35
|
3:53:50 PM
|
0:32:25
|
||
| HAMILTON II |
36
|
3:53:59 PM
|
0:32:34
|
||
| SYMMETRY |
37
|
4:01:29 PM
|
0:40:04
|
||
| TOTO |
38
|
4:33:55 PM
|
1:12:30
|
||
| BARACUDA |
39
|
DNF
|
‘
|
* Safety Penalty: 5 Minute
** Over Early Penalty: 5 Minute
Results: Cumulative
|
Race 1
Points |
Race 2
Points |
Race 3
Points |
Total
Points |
Rank
|
|
| RANGER |
13
|
1
|
10
|
24
|
1
|
| ANDROMEDA LA DEA |
4
|
26
|
1
|
31
|
2
|
| P2 |
10
|
5
|
16
|
31
|
3
|
| AXIA |
3
|
11
|
20
|
34
|
4
|
| UNFURLED |
19
|
4
|
13
|
36
|
5
|
| GANESHA |
7
|
10
|
23
|
40
|
6
|
| GEORGIA |
9
|
25
|
7
|
41
|
7
|
| AVALON |
5
|
31
|
6
|
42
|
8
|
| REBECCA |
30
|
2
|
11
|
43
|
9
|
| SAUDADE |
8
|
8
|
28
|
44
|
10
|
| DSK |
20
|
15
|
9
|
44
|
11
|
| SALUTE |
2
|
29
|
14
|
45
|
12
|
| GHOST |
17
|
3
|
25
|
45
|
13
|
| HANUMAN |
12
|
6
|
27
|
45
|
14
|
| WHITE WINGS |
6
|
20
|
19
|
45
|
15
|
| HETAIROS |
1
|
13
|
32
|
46
|
16
|
| HELIOS |
24
|
23
|
3
|
50
|
17
|
| ANTARA |
11
|
34
|
5
|
50
|
18
|
| RIELA |
16
|
35
|
2
|
53
|
19
|
| WINDCREST |
14
|
9
|
31
|
54
|
20
|
| LIARA |
28
|
14
|
12
|
54
|
21
|
| VISIONE |
26
|
7
|
24
|
57
|
22
|
| SOJANA |
29
|
12
|
21
|
62
|
23
|
| ADELA |
18
|
19
|
26
|
63
|
24
|
| HAMILTON II |
15
|
16
|
36
|
67
|
25
|
| WHISPER |
23
|
22
|
22
|
67
|
26
|
| VARSOVIE |
34
|
17
|
17
|
68
|
27
|
| METEOR |
36
|
33
|
4
|
73
|
28
|
| SALPERTON IV |
27
|
28
|
18
|
73
|
29
|
| HIGHLAND BREEZE |
32
|
27
|
15
|
74
|
30
|
| HYPERION |
22
|
18
|
34
|
74
|
31
|
| MYSTERY |
25
|
21
|
29
|
75
|
32
|
| BARACUDA |
21
|
24
|
40
|
85
|
33
|
| GLORIA |
39
|
39
|
8
|
86
|
34
|
| ARTEMIS |
33
|
32
|
30
|
95
|
35
|
| SHAMOUN |
35
|
30
|
33
|
98
|
36
|
| DESTINATION |
31
|
36
|
35
|
102
|
37
|
| SYMMETRY |
37
|
38
|
37
|
112
|
38
|
| TOTO |
38
|
37
|
38
|
113
|
39
|
A full recap of the St. Barths Bucket and Race Information about the Upcoming Newport Bucket Regatta is available at www.bucketregattas.com
Who would have guessed that all those navigating fluid libations we so freely poured to Poseidon a few years back (in the days of windless Buckets) would bear compounded interest. Once again — we sailed in near perfect conditions, under proper Caribbean blue skies. The word “near” is used advisedly, as the day saw wind speeds ranging from 8 to 15 knots, with direction swings from SE to NE. This, needless to say, scrambled some otherwise predictable finishes and may well have been a cause of some frustration.
The 39 yachts were sent off in close formation, with tight starts sometimes a mere 30 seconds apart. The traditional second day “Wiggley Course” was revised into the “Not So Wiggley” course in the interest of safety, although the dramatic wind shifts reintroduced some of the Wiggles back into the equation.
In the end it looked like a photo finish between Ranger and Rebecca until the latter hit a wall in the form of a massive header, allowing Ranger claim a well deserved first place. Some liberal interpretations of the safety protocol for finishing yachts provided some interesting finishing tactics, although good general seamanship avoided any potential problems.
The traditional owners’ party was again held at the Carl Gustaf Hotel which offered a beautiful view of the fleet below, followed by general merriment on the quay. Sunday’s race, the “Wrong Way Around” course, promises to enjoy more good weather and lovely sailing for all.
Results: Cumulative
|
Race 1
Points |
Race 2
Points |
Race 3
Points |
Total
Points |
Rank
|
|
| RANGER |
13
|
1
|
14
|
1
|
|
| HETAIROS |
1
|
13
|
14
|
2
|
|
| AXIA |
3
|
11
|
14
|
3
|
|
| P2 |
10
|
5
|
15
|
4
|
|
| SAUDADE |
8
|
8
|
16
|
5
|
|
| GANESHA |
7
|
10
|
17
|
6
|
|
| HANUMAN |
12
|
6
|
18
|
7
|
|
| GHOST |
17
|
3
|
20
|
8
|
|
| UNFURLED |
19
|
4
|
23
|
9
|
|
| WINDCREST |
14
|
9
|
23
|
10
|
|
| WHITE WINGS |
6
|
20
|
26
|
11
|
|
| ANDROMEDA LA DEA |
4
|
26
|
30
|
12
|
|
| SALUTE |
2
|
29
|
31
|
13
|
|
| HAMILTON II * |
15
|
16
|
31
|
14
|
|
| REBECCA |
30
|
2
|
32
|
15
|
|
| VISIONE |
26
|
7
|
33
|
16
|
|
| GEORGIA |
9
|
25
|
34
|
17
|
|
| DSK |
20
|
15
|
35
|
18
|
|
| AVALON |
5
|
31
|
36
|
19
|
|
| ADELA |
18
|
19
|
37
|
20
|
|
| HYPERION* |
22
|
18
|
40
|
21
|
|
| SOJANA |
29
|
12
|
41
|
22
|
|
| LIARA |
28
|
14
|
42
|
23
|
|
| ANTARA |
11
|
34
|
45
|
24
|
|
| BARACUDA |
21
|
24
|
45
|
25
|
|
| WHISPER |
23
|
22
|
45
|
26
|
|
| MYSTERY |
25
|
21
|
46
|
27
|
|
| HELIOS |
24
|
23
|
47
|
28
|
|
| RIELA |
16
|
35
|
51
|
29
|
|
| VARSOVIE |
34
|
17
|
51
|
30
|
|
| SALPERTON IV |
27
|
28
|
55
|
31
|
|
| HIGHLAND BREEZE* |
32
|
27
|
59
|
32
|
|
| SHAMOUN |
35
|
30
|
65
|
33
|
|
| ARTEMIS |
33
|
32
|
65
|
34
|
|
| DESTINATION |
31
|
36
|
67
|
35
|
|
| METEOR |
36
|
33
|
69
|
36
|
|
| TOTO |
38
|
37
|
75
|
37
|
|
| SYMMETRY ** |
37
|
38
|
75
|
38
|
|
| GLORIA |
39
|
39
|
78
|
39
|
* Safety Penalty: 5 Minute
** Over Early Penalty: 5 Minute
The first race of the 2010 St. Barths Bucket was blessed with a crystalline Caribbean day that served up a 13 knot easterly breeze and smooth seas for the record fleet of 39 superyachts, to race the 25 miles counterclockwise around the island. This set the stage for a magnificent day on the water and remarkably close racing, with 30 of 39 yachts finishing within 16 minutes!
The big winner of the day was HETAIROS, the 132′ Abeking and Rasmussen ketch that sailed the course flawlessly. SALUTE, the 184′ Perini Navi which is the tallest sloop rig yacht afloat, finished three minutes later to claim second with AXIA, the 124′ Palmer Johnson finishing third, four minutes later.
In the racing division, “Les Gazelles des Mers”, SAUDADE the 148′ Wally finished first, with P2, the 125′ Performance Perini Navi sloop claiming second just over a minute behind. The J Class yachts, Hanuman and Ranger, finished third and fourth just a minute later, with only 21 seconds between them after 25 miles of racing!
Last night’s festivities in St. Barths was centered around the fleet Open House, the highlight of the weekend during which the nearly 1,000 participating crewmembers will visit and celebrate the day aboard the yachts.
Race #2 of the St. Barths Bucket Regatta will take place today on “The Not So Wiggly Course” around and between the islands northeast of St. Barths.
Race Entries
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Newport Bucket Regatta Image Gallery by George Bekris
(click on image below to view gallery)
(Click on Hanuman photo above to view Gallery of Newport Bucket Regatta Photos By George Bekris)
Athena, the 295′ Huisman yacht and this year’s race committee boat, was even hard to make out in the foggy start conditions on Saturday for the first race start . Soon after the start the sea breezes kicked in and blew the fog out leaving a beautiful New England summer day. The breeze held for the afternoon at around 20kts. The 19 boat Bucket Regatta fleet flew around the course in the ideal conditions.
Timoneer, the 147′ DuBois/Vitters Ketch, dominated the day. Her seasoned crew racing flawlessly and furnishing first by 5 minutes. The new Perini Navi Performance 125′ Sloop, P2, came in second.
The two J Class yacht entries Ranger and the newly launched Hanuman (Endeavour II) were reminiscent of the old America’s Cup days with their beautiful long lines. The New Hanuman took third place after a close contest between the two boats. They beat Ranger ,who placed fourth, by only 38 seconds. Avalon finished fifth, followed 13 seconds later by the Swan 100, Virago in 6th, and the Swan 80, Selene 36 seconds later in 7th.
(click on images to enlarge)
Broken down into classes the results were: Les Gazelles des Mers (Racing Division), P2 finished first, Hanuman second, with Ranger in third place. Among Les Grandes Dames des Mers (Cruising Division), Timoneer is in first place, Avalon in second and Taza Mas in third place.
It was hard to tell which boat team won the party following the race. Clearly a great time was had by all the crews.
In another Bucket first, the 156′ Pendennis Shipyards, MITSEAAH, engineered to power at over twenty knots and sail with respectable performance, was challenged on day one in keeping up with the racing yachts on the upwind leg. Respecting the fact that the Bucket is also here to showcase the best attributes of each yacht while cultivating good racing, MITSEAAH was invited to start the race under full power, then execute a high speed 360 degree turn and roar off to the windward mark, where she re-converted to a sailing yacht, shut down the power and got into the race! Her left-field handicap worked well too; she crossed the finish line in fifth position.
Sunday’s racing started out with Mitseeah blasting across the start line at 20 kts without a bit of sail up.
The racing started out with light wind but sea breezes filled in during the afternoon. Summer Wind placed first, followed by Taza Mas in second , Sea Diamond took third for Sundays racing.
Jerry Kirby must not have gotten enough sailing time in during the Volvo Ocean Race. He was onboard Hanuman as Bowman.
These awards, first through third, are presented for the best performance overall for combined results, all classes, all races
Overall
1st P2
2nd Avalon
3rd Timoneer
Les Gazelles (Racing Class)
1st P2
2nd Hanuman
3rd Wild Horses
Les Grand Dames (Cruising Class)
1st Summerwind
2nd Taza Mas
3rd Timoneer
All Star Crew Award presented by Holland Jachtbouw
(also presented by The Yacht Report and Crew Report Magazines)
At each Bucket Event, every yacht is asked to cast a ballot for the yacht crew among the fleet that demonstrates the most professional service in all tasks, while maintaining the best voie de vivre, camaraderie, teamwork and respect among the crew. This is the crew that displays the pinnacle of the profession and has the most fun at it – the yacht that everyone wants to work aboard. Because the award is earned by peer recognition, it has earned serious stature within the marine industry.
Sea Diamond
Vitter’s Shipyard Seamanship Trophy
The Vitters Seamanship Trophy is 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!!
Taza Mas
Skullduggery Cravat
Avalon
Newport Bone
Easterner
The Chippewa Bomb
MitSeaah.
Hanuman On Narraganset Bay, Rhode Island, USA (Photo by George Bekris)
Most of the yachts are docked at Newport Shipyard. They are making the last of preparations for this weekend’s events. The First Gun/First race for the Newport Bucket will be at 12 noon Saturday July 18. Courses to be announced. Fair Weather Courses will be sailed in Rhode Island Sound.
No, they are not planning to Grill Out on P2.










































