A bottle ofRosé de Léoube.Do you know this man? If you don’t, you should. He is Ernest Brin, Gustavia’s Port Director, and he has befriended many a Bucket sailor over the years. “My first thought was that 20 Bucket yachts would be a great number for this year, so 30 is very impressive,” said Brin. “This is our biggest event, and it is especially important to the Port.” After a difficult 2019 and 2020 for visiting yachtsmen (we all know why), Brin says this January saw 300 boats in the harbor – a good sign that things are on the mend.

The new owner of Rosehearty, Lord (Anthony Paul) Bamford, has graciously supplied the Bucket with generous amounts of Rosé de Léoube, the organic rose wine from his winery in Bormes-les-Mimosas. Pale salmon-pink in color, it is a blend of Grenache and Cinsault, completed by a touch of Syrah and Mourvèdrey. Appropriately the winery, near Saint-Tropez, is only 30 metres from the sea.

Jeroen Sirag.Did you bring your good luck socks? It seems to be a tradition on Rosehearty. And if it isn’t socks, then dressing in matching bell bottoms might do the trick – like they do on Rebecca. Or how about this? Perseus^3’s stewardesses have been dressed in cheerleading uniforms cheering on the home team (and others) every day from the aft deck. That’s all in the good spirit of the Bucket!

And speaking of the Bucket, this is it! This is what it’s all about. The Hermès Perpetual Bucket Trophy is a different kind of silverware, and it comes with hefty bragging rights for the overall winner. Last year it was Hetairos who won this coveted prize. Who will raise the Bucket at the Awards Party this year?

It’s good to have friends in high places, like Jeroen Sirag, Marketing Director for Royal Huisman. His company is one of the Stewards of the St. Barths Bucket and might just have the best platform on the water from which to watch the action: the giant three-masted clipper Stad Amsterdam. “After a hiatus of two years it is clear all teams are even more enjoying every moment of this exciting event,” said Sirag. To all our Stewards and corporate “Friends”, thank you for your support.