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.
Hanuman and Ranger Battle It Out (Photo By George Bekris)
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)
Hanuman Upwind Racing (Photo by George Bekris)
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.
Ranger Flashing a Smile (Photo by George Bekris)
It was hard to tell which boat team won the party following the race. Clearly a great time was had by all the crews.
Timoneer 3rd Place Overall Winner (Photo by George Bekris)
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.
Mitseaah Blasting their way across the start line Sunday (Photo by George Bekris)
Sunday’s racing started out with Mitseeah blasting across the start line at 20 kts without a bit of sail up.
Summer Wind 2nd Day Racing Winner (Photo by George Bekris)
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.
Avalon Second Place Winner Overall (Photo by George Bekris)
Jerry Kirby must not have gotten enough sailing time in during the Volvo Ocean Race. He was onboard Hanuman as Bowman.
Jerry Kirby Bowman On Hanuman For Sunday's rRacing (Photo by George Bekris)
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.
Avalon, 108 Ft Southern Pacific (Photo by George Bekris)
Chippewa, 68 ft Swan (Photo by George Bekris)
Virago, 100ft Swan (Photo by George Bekris)
Ranger, 137 ft J Boat (Photo by George Bekris)
Hanuman, 125 ft Royal Huisman (Photo by George Bekris)
Wild Horses, 76 ft Brooklin Boat Yard W Class (Photo by George Bekris)
White Wings, 76 ft Rockport Marine W Class (Photo by George Bekris)
P2 ,125 ft Perini Navi, Ready To Race (Photo by George Bekris)
P2 Deck (Photo by George Bekris)
No, they are not planning to Grill Out on P2.
P2 Navingation Instruments (Photo by George Bekris)
Athena, Newport Bucket Regatta Committee Boat (Photo by George Bekris)
Summerwind , 100 ft Alden (Photo by George Bekris)
Selene, 80 ft Swan (Photo by George Bekris)
Hanuman Under Sail (Photo Courtesy of J-Class Association)
The 7th Annual Newport Bucket Regatta is shaping up to be a gala event! The entry list presently has 15 yachts, ranging from the Swan 68′ Sloop, CHIPPEWA (with enough crew attitude to make this yacht at least 100′), to two elegant W-76 Spirit of Tradition Sloops, the Swan 100′ VIRAGO, the new 125′ Perini Navi Racing Sloop P2, Vitter’s Shipyards elegant Dubois 147′ TIMONEER and Pendennis Shipyards 156′ MITSEAAH.
The new 138′ J-Class Sloop, HANUMAN, by Huisman Shipyard in her debut racing venue along with the J-Class Sloop, RANGER. HANUMAN is a replica of the famous J-Class Sloop, ENDEAVOUR II, which last raced the original RANGER in the America’s Cup 1937, off Newport. SY ATHENA, the 295′ Royal Huisman Schooner will be our Committee Boat. This special addition to our fleet, along with the other superyachts in the Bucket Fleet will create a magnificent horizon of sail, great racing on Block Island Sound and an exciting weekend for participants and spectators alike
The weekend kicks off with the skippers meeting at the Newport Shipyard, followed by a Welcome Party. Saturdays racing will be followed by the Fleet Open House and Bucket Bash under the marquee at the Shipyard, with music by The Evan Goodrow Band for late night dancing. The awards ceremony after Sundays Race will be held at Ochre Court at Salve Regina University. Ochre Court is a stunning mansion overlooking the ocean and has a long history connected to sailing. Ogden Gouelet who built the house for his family, was one of the most famous competitive yachtsmen of his time, which makes the site an ideal location to celebrate the Bucket Joie de Vivre!
The Bucket Regattas began in August 1986 in Nantucket, MA, as a casual race to prove bragging rights among the owners & skippers of seven of the largest yachts in town — an afternoon sail, there and back again, with a galvanized bucket as the trophy. The Bucket Regattas have grown to become one of the most prestigious sailing events in the world, attracting the largest yachts ever to compete on the race course.
Back in 1937 the original “Endeavour II” was built in steel at the Nicholson’s Yard and designed by Charles Nicholson. “Endeavour II” was built to battle the J’s in the America’s Cup Race that year, maximizing the waterline to 87ft she challenged “Ranger” but did not beat her. With the replicas of “Ranger” and “Endeavour II”, there will be a chance to race again.
Hanuman Ar Dock (Photo Courtesy of J-Class Association)
Back in 1937 the original “Endeavour II” was built in steel at the Nicholson’s Yard and designed by Charles Nicholson. “Endeavour II” was built to battle the J’s in the America’s Cup Race that year, maximizing the waterline to 87ft she challenged “Ranger” but did not beat her. With the replicas of “Ranger” and “Endeavour II”, there will be a chance to race again.
Dykstra & Partners from Amsterdam took on the job for a repeat client to design the replica of this biggest J ever built to date. “Endeavour II” will be built in Alustar with a Carbon mast at Royal Huisman Shipyard, not a stranger to the J-Class yachts. In 1989 J-K4 “Endeavour” was re-built at the yard in Vollenhove. Dykstra & Partners were also responsible for the design work of this re-built. “Endeavour II” will have a Pieter Beeldsnijder interior.
Hanuman Being Hoisted (Photo Courtesy Of J-Class Yacht)
Design and building of “Endeavour II” will be according the maximum performance rules of the JCA (J Class Association). She will be the first new J to be built in The Netherlands.
Hanuman In The Slings (Photo Courtesy of J-Class Association)
Dykstra & Partners were also Naval Architects for refits of the J-Class yachts in the current racing field, “Shamrock V”, “Velsheda”, “Endeavour” and “Ranger”.
Specifications “Endeavour II”
Loa : 42,09 m
Lcwl : 27,68 m
Beam : 6,60 m
Draft : 4,72 m
Hull material : Alustar
Mast material : Carbon Fiber
Hanuman In Cradles (Photo Courtesy Of J-Class Association)
Challenge and Adventure Image Galleries of Newport Bucket Regatta by George Bekris
(click on image to view gallery) 
http://www.challengeandadventure.com/Newport_Bucket2009/ 
http://www.challengeandadventure.com/Newport_Bucket2008/ 
http://www.challengeandadventure.com/Newport_Bucket2006/ 
http://www.challengeandadventure.com/Newport_Bucket2005/ .
St Barth's Bucket (Photo By Cory Silken)
The wind gods served up a magnificent 15 knot ENE sailing breeze for the first days race of the 14th Annual St Barths Bucket Regatta Yesterday. A record 34 yachts sailed the 25 mile course, counter-clockwise around the island. This was a spectacular day of sailing, enhanced by a “yellow alert” warning for heavy seas and swells that left the fleet sailing against the backdrop of huge breaking seas against the rock promotories that create the turning marks for the course. The photographers were really happy (and a little soaked) at the end of the day!
The big winner of the day was METEOR, the 51M Dykstra design Schooner by the Royal Huisman Shipyard. Finishing 23 seconds later in second place was SHAMOUN the 33M Classic sloop by Holland Jachtbouw, with GANESHA, the new Dubois design 39M performance sloop, finishing 40 seconds later in Third Place.
Among LES GAZELLES DES MERS (racing division), GANESHA finished first, KALIKOBASS II the 32M Trehard sloop was second and P2, the new Perini Navi high performance 38m sloop by design, was third. Among LES GRANDES DAMES DES MERS (Cruising Division), METEORr was first, SHAMOUN second and PERSEUS, the 50M Perini Navi was third.
The large surge and swell created some excitement alongside as well, and unfortunately made it impossible for most of the fleet to come alongside for the evening in the turbulent harbor seas. This put a serious damper on the scheduled “Fleet Open House” which is typically the high point of each Bucket Regatta. Fortunately, four of the largest (and most hospitable yachts) were able to tie up safely, and invite the other sailing crews aboard for a great night of celebration of the first day of racing!
Race #2 of the St. Barths Bucket Regatta was sailed today on the 20 mile “Wiggley Course” around and between the Islands north and east of St. Barths
