The St. Barths Bucket Regatta, or Bucket for short, was founded 38 years ago as a non-commercial event for owners of large cruisers. Nevertheless, from 21 to 24 March, very different formats will be racing off the French Caribbean island of Saint-Barthélemy. At present, 35 entries have been received, which would mean ten more participants than last year and a return to normal levels.
The regatta for the greatest
The really big names have also announced their participation, but the 88-metre-long dyna-rig format "Maltese Falcon" is coming as a spectator - the organisers call this type of passive participation "social". With "M5", the world's longest single-masted yacht at 78 metres is moored. The record-breaking slup will also start, as will the newly delivered Southern Wind 108 "Gelliceaux" in the "Corinthian Spirit" class (CS). In this class, yachts over 100 feet compete that do not use spinnakers or gennakers. However, the majority of the 35 participants (as of 5 March 2014) will be paid according to the ORC Super Yacht Rule (ORCsy) and with the help of polars (VPP) and sent into the coastal races by kangaroo start.
Freshly delivered one-offs arrive
The ORCsy starters will in turn be divided into different classes of yachts of roughly the same length with similar sailing characteristics. The "Les Gazelles des Mers" premier class will be led by "Hetairos" with a length of 67 metres. Otto Happel's carbon ketch retired last year, but had previously won almost every time in the largest group. A large number of debutants are taking an ambitious approach to sport: Celebrating their regatta première "Maximus" (59 m, Vitters), "Nilaya" (47 m, Royal Huisman) and "Zemi" (33 metres, Baltic Yachts). And the plump 56-metre ketches from Perini Navi will not be missing. Among the three entries is permanent participant "Rosehearty", on which Paul Cayard is traditionally hired as tactician. Also wanting to be there again "Perseverance" and "Aquarius" (56 m, Royal Huisman). In addition, two Js, "Velsheda" and "Hanuman", announce themselves.
90-footers are also allowed to start
Since 2017, the St. Barth's Bucket has not only admitted sailors over 100 feet; in 2017, the 90-foot group was formed, for which only the Swans "Drifter Cube" (98 feet) and "Freya" (90 feet) have so far registered. The smallest entry is the Hanse 510 "va va voom", which is not taking part in the races. In addition, the stewards, the Dutch shipyards Royal Huisman and Vitters, have launched a "100 Foot Racing Class" for the 2024 edition. This initiative is intended to appeal to "performance-orientated" sloops with a minimum lee of 100 feet. If the wind is blowing, the participants will tackle the first of three coastal races from 22 March at the earliest.
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The current status of the bucket reports is available here.
