Virago a performance Nautor Swan sailing yacht wins the 2011 St. Barths Bucket Regatta overall for the 25th Anniversary St. Barths Bucket Regatta.
BY CLASS
| Results: GRAND DAMES | (Course #7 19.6 nm) | ||||
| Race 1 | Race 2 | Race 3 | Total | ||
| Points | Points | Points | Points | Rank | |
| AXIA | 2 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 1 |
| GENEVIEVE | 10 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 2 |
| BLUE TOO | 13 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 3 |
| HELIOS II | 11 | 5 | 1 | 17 | 4 |
| ETHEREAL | 8 | 6 | 4 | 18 | 5 |
| KLOSTERS | 3 | 4 | 12 | 19 | 6 |
| MALTESE FALCON | 6 | 7 | 6 | 19 | 7 |
| PARSIFAL III | 4 | 9 | 9 | 22 | 8 |
| PARAISO | 9 | 8 | 5 | 22 | 9 |
| DRUMBEG | 5 | 10 | 10 | 25 | 10 |
| TWIZZLE | 7 | 11 | 8 | 26 | 11 |
| WILLIAM TAI | 1 | 13 | 13 | 27 | 12 |
| ANTARA | 12 | 12 | 11 | 35 | 13 |
| Results: ELEGANTES | (Course #7 19.6 nm) | ||||
| Race 1 | Race 2 | Race 3 | Total | ||
| Points | Points | Points | Points | Rank | |
| REBECCA | 4 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 1 |
| WINDROSE | 3 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 2 |
| MARIE | 1 | 7 | 5 | 13 | 3 |
| CHRISTOPHER | 5 | 9 | 2 | 16 | 4 |
| BEQUIA | 2 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 5 |
| THIS IS US | 9 | 3 | 6 | 18 | 6 |
| GAIA | 7 | 8 | 3 | 18 | 7 |
| ELENA | 8 | 10 | 1 | 19 | 8 |
| WHITE WINGS | 6 | 5 | 9 | 20 | 9 |
| METEOR | 10 | 4 | 10 | 24 | 10 |
| GLORIA | 11 | 12 | 11 | 34 | 11 |
| Results: GAZELLES | (Course #6 22.6 nm) | ||||
| Race 1 | Race 2 | Race 3 | Total | ||
| Points | Points | Points | Points | Rank | |
| VIRAGO | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| SYMMETRY | 2 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 2 |
| RANGER | 5 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 3 |
| HANUMAN | 3 | 9 | 2 | 14 | 4 |
| P2 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 15 | 5 |
| MARAMA | 1 | 5 | 12 | 18 | 6 |
| SOJANA | 8 | 3 | 8 | 19 | 7 |
| LEOPARD 3 | 7 | 10 | 6 | 23 | 8 |
| HYPERION | 11 | 11 | 5 | 27 | 9 |
| MOONBIRD | 9 | 8 | 11 | 28 | 10 |
| MIRABELLA V | 16 | 7 | 10 | 33 | 11 |
| VARSOVIE | 10 | 12 | 15 | 37 | 12 |
| KOKOMO | 14 | 15 | 9 | 38 | 13 |
| ZEFIRO | 12 | 14 | 13 | 39 | 14 |
| LADY B | 13 | 13 | 16 | 42 | 15 |
| SONG OF THE SEA | 15 | 16 | 14 | 45 | 16 |
A beautiful slideshow courtesy of Cory Silken of the 40 strong fleet of Superyachts with spectacular St. Barths as the backdrop.
St. Barth’s Bucket selects – Images by Cory Silken

Jim Clark at the helm of J-Class Hanuman during Newport Bucket Regatta 2009 (Photo by Gleorge Bekris)
Yachtsman James H. “Jim” Clark, internet pioneer and co-founder of Netscape Communications, is a man of his word as demonstrated today with a donation of $150,000 each to two Newport-based charitable organizations: Sail Newport and Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island (OHPRI). The donations are follow-throughs on Clark’s public promise to make contributions to marine charities if he were ever to hire professional sailors to race in pursuit of a trophy. Clark, who competes in regattas with his 137-foot J-Class yacht Hanuman, hopes to have other J-Class owners follow his lead.
Clark recently announced plans to integrate the Newport-based PUMA Ocean Racing Team and helmsman Ken Read into Clark’s amateur team aboard Hanuman in a series of upcoming Caribbean regattas.
“Jim Clark keeps his promise,” said Brad Read, executive director of Sail Newport. “All of us sailors have spent a lifetime enjoying the world’s oceans through the sport of sailing, and Jim’s enthusiastic leadership in contributing to the oceanic environment sets a tremendous example.”
According to Brad Read, Clark’s donation will benefit Sail Newport’s public access sailing center and sailing programs for all ages. Sail Newport is a non-profit organization founded in the wake of the loss of the America’s Cup in Newport, R.I., to foster the sport of sailing. Since 1983, the organization has attracted and managed several hundred sailing events including local, national and world championships. In addition, Sail Newport maintains a nationally-recognized youth sailing program which is developing the next generation of American sailors. A financial aid and scholarship fund enables students of all ages to learn and enjoy the sport regardless of economic resources.
Bart Dunbar, chairman of OHPRI, said the funding comes at an ideal time in the building of Rhode Island’s “Education at Sea” Tall Ship SSV Oliver Hazard Perry and the development of its educational programs. “The school ship Oliver Hazard Perry will serve as an ocean classroom for experiential learning by youth of all ages and represent Rhode Island’s rich maritime history,” said Dunbar. “We feel honored to be the recipient of such a generous donation and are glad to be in the company of Sail Newport, which has been so involved in the community and advancing youth education as well.”
The steel hull of the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry is currently dry-docked and undergoing work at Promet Marine Services in Providence, R.I. After the deck, masts, rigging, sails and electronics have been added and its at-sea education programs for secondary schools and colleges established, SSV Oliver Hazard Perry will sail as a 230-foot (sparred length), three-masted, square rigger–the largest privately owned tall ship in America.
For more information or to contribute to Sail Newport, contact Executive Director Brad Read at Sail Newport, 60 Fort Adams Drive, Newport, R.I., 401-846-1983. More information can also be found at http://www.sailnewport.org/.
For more information or to contribute to the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry, contact Vice-Chair Perry Lewis at OHPRI headquarters, Buliod-Perry House, 29 Touro Street, Washington Square, Newport, R.I., 401-841-0080. More information also can be found at www.OHPRI.org.
Newport will once again play host to a J-Class regatta, Governor Lincoln D. Chafee said on Thursday. The announcement was made to a roaring crowd of sailing enthusiasts during a special presentation at the Jane Pickens Theater.
Scheduled for June 15-19, it will be the first competitive J-Class regatta in the United States since the 1937 America’s Cup.
Chafee was joined by Sail Newport Executive Director Brad Read and RI Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Keith Stokes.
The event is being organized by Regatta Partners, and will kick off a summer of world-class racing that could be bookended by the first America’s Cup World Series regatta in September.
According to Sail Newport’s Read, the race will be held within the confines of Narragansett Bay, providing ample viewing opportunities for spectators from Castle Hill to Fort Adams and Jamestown. Indeed, having these boats start from the same point as the popular Thursday night racing series will be a sight to behold.
For his part, Stokes said that committing to support these kinds of events showcasing Rhode Island as an international sailing destination could help lead the state out of recession.
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
For More Images from the Newport Bucket Regatta visit our Images Page or click Here
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.
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.
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.
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!
For More Photos Of Newport Bucket Regatta 2010 click HERE
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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