As predicted after two light-air practice days, a decent wind of 12-18 knots kicked in for the Bucket’s first of three competition days. Seven classes of Superyachts (30 total in the fleet) each sailed a variation of the counterclockwise “Around the Island” course, ranging in length from 20 to 25 nautical miles, and no one could say their course was any less spectacular or challenging than another’s.
For Gelliceaux, victory in L’Esprit 1 – one of the largest classes here with six boats – was especially worth savoring. The boat was launched in August and delivered in October of last year; this was her very first race.
“The owner is driving, and he has a good feel for the yacht,” said Gelliceaux’s Captain Clive Walker, adding that the crew of all-amateur sailors was pleased with how well the boat performed. “We had been quite far behind (second-place finisher) Vijonara, but then we had a spurt of energy in the last 200 meters before the finish. We were able to pass her, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat!”
Gelliceaux crew Andrea Micheli, who also represents the boat’s builder Southern Wind, said today was a giant step. “It showed the owner’s trust in his team and his dreams coming alive after two years of building and designing. All the parts came together.”
Freya, in Les Petites Dames, turned in the best timing for her pursuit-style start, as recorded by the Race Committee. She was within one second of hitting her designated starting time right on the nail.
“I’ll give credit for the one second to our navigator Matt Wachowicz and bowman Robbie Southwell,” said Freya’s tactician Kimo Worthington. “I just laid out the plan, and they communicated to make it happen.” Worthington said Freya’s crew and owner/driver Don Macpherson have the benefit of sailing together for many years; Freya recently won her class at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua and has competed in the Bucket, Worthington guesses, over a dozen times. This year, she is in a closely-rated class of all Swan sailboats.
“What won us the race,” said Worthington, “was that the others had to tack at a rock near mark ‘W’ on the other side of the island. They couldn’t lay it, but we could and were able to go inside it.”
Other class winners were Aquarius in Les Gazelles (and Performance Ouverts), Velsheda in Les Elegantes, Nakupenda in Les Mademoiselles, and Melek in L’Esprit 2.
Assuming the conditions will comply, tomorrow’s racing will take place on the “Not So Wiggley” course that weaves through the islands and rocks on the northwest and western sides of St. Barths. Like today, the starts and finishes will be somewhat south of the entrance to Gustavia Harbor and visible from land.
Photographs ©2024 Claire Matches
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