If there’s one certainty at the St. Barths Bucket, it’s that everyone who participates becomes part of a side story or two. Thus, this Bucket Blog has become the “catch all” for showcasing the people, events and happenings that fill the time so colorfully before and after the on-water competition.
Speaking of color, let’s get right to the issue of snagging your limited-edition event poster before they’re gone. To clarify, this is no run-of-the-mill poster. This is collectible art that, like in years past, highlights some aspect of the St. Barths experience; superyachts in Gustavia Harbor is this year’s theme. Proceeds from the sale of the poster goes to this year’s chosen charities (more about that later)! Only 200 are offered at the price of 100 euros and can be purchased at the Space Contemporary Art Gallery, which is located on Carré D’Or between Hermès and Cartier.
Each year, a portion of the entry fees as well as proceeds from the sale of the popular Bucket posters go to worthy causes on the island. It’s a way to give back, since St. Barths has given so generously to the Bucket for over three decades. To get things started, at Thursday’s Skippers’ Meeting, checks for 5,000 euros were presented, respectively, to youth sailing members from the St. Barths Yacht Club (SBYC) and Ernest Brin, Directeur du Port here and head of the Foundation for Emergency Medical Equipment (FEMUR). SBYC, an active sailing school with a major focus on youth sailors, is not your conventional yacht club. Resources and budgets are far more limited than that of a typical yacht club, so this worthy cause has been one of our official charities for several years running. FEMUR, founded over 25 years ago by a group of French, American, and native St. Barth residents, raises money to purchase critically needed medical equipment that helps the local hospital meet the healthcare needs of the community and visitors. Hooray for efforts on both these fronts!
The impressive pop-up Bucket Bar officially opened on the Quay Thursday afternoon, signaling that all will be exceptional on the social front here. The subsequent Fleet Welcoming Party featured Boston-based musician Evan Goodrow on the Bucket Stage. Some will remember Goodrow as a frequent favorite at the harborside Baz Bar in the past, often with the late Jimmy Buffett, a longtime St. Barths resident, dropping in as a surprise guest onstage.
It’s not often that winners are announced before a skipper’s meeting but on Thursday that’s what happened when the day’s planned windward/leeward races between the 100-footers V and Galateia were abandoned due to lack of wind. V quickly organized an alternative competition in the form of a “fleet” race that saw five crew from each yacht buzzing halfway around the island on their electric foils. At the designated finish at Nikki Beach, the losing team had to spring for rosé to celebrate. And the winner was…(drumroll)…the crew of V! But seriously, were there really any losers in this deal?
Wednesday saw the St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church conducting the blessing of the Bucket Fleet on the south side of Gustavia Harbor, next to the Square de la Retrocession’s ten-ton anchor there. The ceremony offered prayers for all who find the sea as their livelihood or playground and, in particular, blessed the 30 Superyachts and tens of hundreds of sailors and supporters prepping for this year’s Bucket racing.
Thursday night’s traditional owner’s party at Nikki Beach made a true statement about the joie de vivre that pervades throughout this regatta. Owners, their guests and Bucket sponsors were welcomed with champagne and sushi in the bar area, while spectacular footage of last year’s racing showed on a giant screen settled in the sand near a choice of cushy seating options. As a bonus, an eclipse-ready moon lit up the sky but was soon outdone by an extravagant fireworks display off Eden Rock, apparently in celebration of a patron’s birthday there…but hey, we’ll take it!
You must be logged in to post a comment.