St. Barths (March 16, 2022) – The St. Barths Bucket, which was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions that effected world travel, has returned to the idyllic island of Saint Barthélemy for its 28th time since first gracing these local waters in 1995 and its 35th edition since debuting in the USA (Nantucket, Massachusetts) in 1986. The regatta, beloved by sailors from around the world, officially starts tomorrow (Thursday, March 17) when three historic J-Class boats are scheduled to sail two races before being joined by another 24 superyachts in five classes and three yachts in the “90’ Class” on Friday through Sunday for a single race each day.
“From the perspective of what we have all endured over the last two years, we couldn’t be more fortunate to be back sailing here with so few restrictions and a healthy fleet of 30 boats,” said Race Director Peter Craig. “Remember that some of these yachts have not raced much, if at all, in the past 18 months, so this is a special time for owners and their crews to re-unite on the water with their families, friends and teams of professional and amateur sailors that traditionally gather for this regatta.”
Overall, the fleet represents the world’s most magnificent sailing machines – a mix of sloops, ketches and schooners – ranging in length from 28 to 60 metres and designed to elicit awe from those who are either trained or naturally inclined to appreciate fine design and feats of engineering genius. While not racing, these behemoths are moored or anchored in Gustavia’s outer harbor or docked Mediterranean style at the Quay downtown for locals and visitors to admire.
With the exception of the J-Class, which last sailed here in 2018, all classes on this year’s scratch sheet are the same as 2019 and again labeled with French names to match the magnificence of the yachts grouped by ORCsy ratings within. They are Les Gazelles des Mers (the most performance-oriented), Les Elegantes des Mers, Les Mademoiselles des Mers, Les Grandes Dames des Mers, L’Esprit de Mer (Corinthian Spirit), and Les Petites Dames des Mers (90’ Class). The smallest yachts competing – the Nautor’s Swan sloop Freya and the Johnson-designed Sonny III, both at 28 metres – are in the latter class, while the largest yacht, at 60 metres and designed by Dykstra, is defending overall Bucket champion Hetairos in Les Gazelles. Other returning class winners from 2019 are the Dykstra NA 56 metre Aquarius and the Perini Navi 56 Rosehearty.
“It is fantastic to be back racing in St. Barths,” said Hetairos Captain Graham Newton. “It truly is one of the most beautiful places in the world to race, and it’s nice to see such a good fleet here. The vast majority of our team are the same that we have sailed with for quite some time now and they did a pretty good job in 2019! …we are very much looking forward to getting back on the racetrack to try and pick up some more silverware for the owners.”
As per Bucket tradition, a pursuit racing format will be followed, with individual start times structured so that yachts in each class finish together. Winners in all classes will be named on Sunday at the Final Awards Ceremony and Party, slated for the Wall House Museum on the far side of Gustavia Harbor from the Capitainerie.
Afternoon socializing at the open-air Bucket Bar (at the Bucket Marquee on the Quay) kicks off Thursday at 1730, followed by the Fleet Welcoming Party at 1900. Daily Awards also will be presented at the Bucket Marquee both Friday and Saturday at 1900.
The adage “back in the saddle,” coined by cowboys in the 1800s, refers to returning to something familiar after a long absence. And certainly, for hundreds of sailors here, as well as “Stewards” – Royal Huisman and Vitters Shipyard – and corporate “Friends” of the regatta who have converged on the tiny island of St. Barths this week, nothing will be more satisfying than getting back in the Bucket saddle again.