Adele in Superyacht Cup Palma (Photo Courtesy of SYAdele.com)
Organisers of the Superyacht Cup are preparing for one of their biggest years in 2012 as the entry lists for the popular Palma regatta and the brand new Superyacht Cup Cowes, UK have surged over the last two months.
Currently over 20 superyachts have registered for the special edition of the Superyacht Cup in Cowes, UK from 22-25 July 2012 to take place just a few days before the start of the 2012 London Olympics. Meanwhile, the Palma Superyacht Cup (20-23 June 2012) has already received 15 entries with just 5 spaces left for yachts wanting to moor at the Muelle Viejo dock.
The first ever Superyacht Cup Cowes is gathering momentum and at the current time many of the registered yachts have found suitable moorings in Cowes quite a task when you consider the vast size of some of the participating yachts. The Cowes Harbour Commission have been instrumental in accommodating the needs of the fleet and understanding the importance of the yachts being able to have easy access to Cowes and the Royal Yacht Squadron. “We are used to having large fleets of yachts visiting Cowes at one time but the size and draft requirements of the Superyacht Cup fleet has given us a new challenge” commented Stuart McIntosh, Cowes Habour Master. “But I am pleased to confirm we have so far found berths for all the enquiries, and expect to accommodate many more. We have the option of laying additional moorings and a limited number of berths are still available at various locations in the vicinity of Cowes. It will certainly add to the atmosphere of the event to have the fleet together.”
The Royal Yacht Squadron will be the central base for the regatta with the race office, registration, opening cocktail reception and prize-giving all taking place in the spectacular setting of the club pavilion with views over the Solent. David Aisher, the Rear Commodore Yachting, expressed his support and enthusiasm for the regatta. “We have been delighted with the positive response from both the owners of these magnificent yachts and their captains. 2012 will be an exceptional year for the Club with more than our usual number of spectacular sailing events, such as this one, celebrating both her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee and the Olympics. Seeing the fleet of Superyachts sailing in the Solent really will be an event not to be missed by anyone at all interested in sailing. We look forward, very much, to welcoming all the participants to the Castle in July.”
Confirmed sponsors for both Cowes and Palma Superyacht Cup regattas include Elvström Sails and Pantaenius, whilst the Palma event has confirmed Silver sponsorships from ZIS, McMaster Yachts, Reckmann, Astilleros de Mallorca, Pendennis and the Rolling Stock Group.
Yachts wishing to enter either regatta are encouraged to contact the Superyacht Cup office as soon as possible as places are limited. Contact Kate Branagh kate@thesuperyachtcup.com for more information.
Now in its 16th year, the Superyacht Cup is the longest running superyacht regatta in Europe. Traditionally held in Palma at the end of June to start the Mediterranean season, the regatta is held over 4 days with racing in the spectacular Bay of Palma. As well as competitive racing on the water, the event is as popular for its informal and fun atmosphere ashore with themed dock parties and cocktail receptions.
Highland Fling In Superyacht Cup Palma (Photo by Guido Trombetta)
Ranger Upwind Sailing (Photo By George Bekris)
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
Ranger Head On (Photo by George Bekris)
J-Class Ranger (Photo by George Bekris)
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
Hetairos (Photo by George Bekris)
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
|
Newport Bucket Regatta Image Gallery by George Bekris
(click on image below to view gallery)
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.
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
