Hummingbird – Captain Josh Hill
This was Hummingbird’s first bucket event and the fourth race we have done as a team. Having visited St. Barths to cruise and socialize, the owners had yet to race here. The courses were challenging with the light conditions and navigational gains to be made around the many rocks that litter the coastline of this stunning island. The entire crew loved this event and congratulate the Bucket team on organising a fantastic regatta and delivering it in challenging conditions. It was also a fantastic opportunity to race against two other Swan 90s, which has not happened for years. I am incredibly proud of our race team and permanent crew for winning our class and look forward to returning in years to come so we may continue to enjoy the thrills this event has to offer.
Vijonara – Tactician Tony Rey
I sailed on board the lovely Vijonara for the first time and had never raced Corinthian Spirit rules before. We raced with a relatively small crew for a 39m yacht, no kites, and it was still exciting and challenging. It’s a great way to race Superyachts without the complexity of a big squad.
It’s easy to forget that the forecast and the weather are not the same things. Fortunately, Peter Craig pushed hard, modified the courses and schedule as needed to get us racing and still get us in early enough for shoreside action as good as any regatta in the world.
It’s a challenge and a joy sailing these magnificent big boats in any condition, and I’m sure we all learned more about how to sail a Superyacht in light air.
Whisper – Tactician Terry Hutchinson
We’ve been slugging it out the last couple of years, so it was nice to win. This was my fourth Bucket with Whisper, and out of all the different types of racing, I can say this is the most stressful of all. Like all the boats here, Whisper is a work of art, and you don’t want to do damage to it. It’s a whole different platform than the foiling we’re doing in preparation for AC38. (Hutchinson is President of Sailing Operations for American Magic)
Velsheda – Captain Will Gibbon
With uncharacteristically light-air this year, the race committee did a fantastic job to get three races from tricky conditions. We had some tight racing with the other two boats in our class, with each boat winning a race, so it all came down to the last race. As always, the Velsheda team loved sailing in St Barths, and of course the shoreside entertainment!
Velsheda – Tactician Tom Dodson
I’ve sailed here on Velsheda with the J Boats and in a lot more breeze, so I kind of enjoyed the different-than-normal light conditions – a change of scenery, if you’d like. In some years, there are six or so J Boats here. They mostly sail in Europe but sometimes the class is on the East Coast of the States and that suits them for coming down here to sail. Velsheda’s owner likes bringing her down here to sail with his family. It’s a bonus to do this regatta, as it sets us up for the season, gets the crew exercises, and helps us win some regattas back in Europe.
V – Tactician Ken Read
With great crew work, this went our way. But you must get a little lucky to make sure the boats here (in other classes) don’t get in your way, and we were lucky. Because there were just two of us 100 footers (here for the first time), we switched out each day with who started three minutes ahead of the other. But that was just to compete in the spirit of the Bucket’s pursuit racing. What was different for our class was that it wasn’t who-beat-whom at the finish. Instead, our times were corrected out in the end.
Any rule would have a hard time figuring out boats as different as we are, but it’s our goal to increase the number of 100-footers here and have a maxi class, like how the J Boats have done in the past.
Wisp – Helmsman Peter Wilson
As is typically the case, the Owners truly enjoyed this year’s Bucket. They appreciated the lengths the committee went to in ensuring we had three days of racing as well as the shoreside activities. It was an uncharacteristic week of light airs between 7 and 11 knots, and in terms of racing, not the results we were hoping for – but that being said, these Superyachts need a bit more “puff” to get them rolling – however, it should be noted that a week training and racing in St. Barth’s indisputably beats a week in the office any day”!
Rosehearty – Captain Jonathan Kline
Though we would have preferred more breeze, the Rosehearty team met the challenge of pushing this 500-ton yacht around the racecourse in 4 to 8 knots of wind, a mighty task for the helmsman, bow team and trimmers. That feat was complemented by the stunning surroundings, the view of dozens of sails on the sharp blue horizon, and by an intense appreciation of how fortunate we all were to be able to share this event with shipmates, family and friends.
Rosehearty – Communications Officer Ulf Joseffson
Race Committee did a great job by adapting Saturday’s and Sunday’s racecourses to the very light conditions. Well done.
Freya – Tactician Kimo Worthington
The St. Barth’s Bucket is more than just a regatta—it’s a reunion. After years of sailing through every kind of condition imaginable, from fierce winds to calm seas, it’s incredible to reconnect with old friends, swap stories, and hear about their lives beyond the water. It’s a reminder that the best part of sailing isn’t just the competition, but the lifelong friendships it creates.
Action – Tactician Ian Walker
I was most impressed this week by the improvement in upwind performance of Action in light winds. The new 3di sails are lighter and we can change the shape more effectively across the wind range.
Friends of the Bucket
Southern Spars – Group Sales Director Vincent Guiot
Being a Friend of the Bucket is a fantastic opportunity to promote our sport and for owners to experience a superyacht regatta in the breathtaking setting of St Barth. The event offers unparalleled access to racing, social events, and networking for yacht owners, crew, and sailing enthusiasts from around the world.
Dykstra Naval Architects – Anneliek van der Linde
The Bucket and supporting the event as a Friend means a lot to the Dykstra Naval Architects team. Seeing, feeling the owners and crews having fun racing the Bucket is a big + in this experience. Even more so, learning for us will always be the bigger picture, getting to sail the yachts we designed and connecting with people who share the sailing passion.
Pantaenius Yacht Insurance – Managing Director Martin Baum
For me, the spirit of the Bucket is that it’s a non-commercial event—no advertising, just a focus on sailing and fun for the owners and crew. Every friend of the Bucket is here to support the event and contribute something positive beyond money.
Nautor Swan – CEO Giovanni Pomati
At Nautor Swan we’re honored and excited to become friends of the Bucket. There is an incredible alignment of values between the Bucket and Nautor Swan … love for sailing, camaraderie, friendship and fair competition. Looking forward to 2026.
Edmiston – Chief Executive Jamie Edmiston
The St. Barths Bucket is a legendary event. With Bruce Brackenhoff having played such an important role over the years, we are extremely happy to be able to support as a “Friend of the Bucket”, both this year and in the years to come.
BWA Yachting – Chief Business Development Officer Laura Esteve
The Bucket for BWA Yachting is a fabulous week of thrilling racing and the loveliest parties where we meet with friends and colleagues in a very relaxed environment.
BWA Yachting – Chief Communications Officer Francesca Fenucci
BWA Yachting is thrilled to be a Friend of the Bucket for the 3rd year, and our involvement signifies our deep commitment to the spirit of sailing and luxury yachting. It’s not just about the competition; it’s about fostering camaraderie and celebrating the shared passion for sailing. Being part of this remarkable event allows us to connect with like-minded enthusiasts and support the incredible experiences that the Bucket Regatta brings to life.
North Sails – President Ken Read
The bucket, and regattas like it, are of utmost importance to the sailing world for several reasons. Firstly, all of us in the Marine Industry are in the entertainment business, and nothing makes us all happier than seeing the smiles on the faces of owners and guests and VIPs when they come to an event like this. Secondly, as an industry, we are always here to support events like this to make sure they can happen to make sure that everybody’s products are ready to go the following day if there’s any issues whatsoever. And thirdly, let’s face it, these events are nothing short of spectacular. Just stop and look around once in a while. Take it all in, because there’s nothing like it in the world.
NSi Group – Senior Associate Jamie Stampar
It means so much personally and professionally to be part of this event. After many, many years of attending, sailing, and enjoying the St. Barths Bucket Regatta, I felt like it was the right time to start contributing in a meaningful way. This event celebrates and enriches the culture of sailing, and we are fortunate to be involved.
Photographs by Martin Baum – Pantaenius.
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