Under the warm, albeit windy, Caribbean evening sky, the harborside grounds of the Hotel de la Collectivite came alive as hundreds of yacht owners, captains, and crew gathered for the Bucket’s final Awards Party. Guests arrived by boat, car, and on foot, dressed to impress in everything from crisp crew uniforms to flowing dresses, transforming the waterfront into a sea of color and excitement.
At the heart of it all stood a massive stage where Event Director Peter Craig presided over the festivities, announcing class winners and special award recipients with the help of the Stewards and Friends of the Bucket. To thunderous applause, winners stepped forward to receive gleaming crystal trophies along with bottles of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut and Symphonie Rosé.
The Biggest Moment
No one knew who would win the coveted 2026 Bucket Trophy, but when the ketch Hetairos was announced, it all made perfect sense.
The trophy is reserved for a yacht that not only triumphs on the racecourse but also embodies the timeless spirit of the Bucket. Hetairos delivered on both counts. After fierce competition in the Les Gazelles class, the yacht emerged victorious in a dramatic three-way tie decided by tiebreaker rules.
Brimming with confidence, the Hetairos crew stormed the stage to claim their magnificent Bucket trophy and immediately showered each other in champagne.
Others who topped their classes were V, Freya, Onyx, Geist, Whisper, M5, Perseus^3, and Adix. They sailed respectively in Le Cent Pied, Les Petites Dames, L’esprit-1, Les Elegantes, Les Mademoiselles, L’esprit-2, Les Grande Dames, and Les Goelettes.
Special Awards: Skill, Spirit & Determination
The Bucket is about more than podium finishes, and the special awards proved exactly that.
Owner/Driver Award presented by Yacht Club de Monaco: This year’s honor went to Rod Lewis, who helmed his towering superyacht M5 in the L’esprit-2 class. As the largest yacht in the fleet by a considerable margin, steering the mighty M5 demanded skill, courage, and confidence, all of which Lewis delivered in spades.
Overall Best Starter presented by Vitters: Precision at the starting line is everything. Based on the smallest time difference between scheduled and actual starts across both races, the award went to the 56-meter, 490-ton Melek from L’esprit-2. Proof that even the biggest yachts can hit the line with razor-sharp timing.
Wolter Huisman Memorial Award: This prestigious honor celebrates the yachts and crews that exemplify the true spirit of the Bucket. This year, it went to Adix and Atlantic, making their Bucket debuts in the spectacular inaugural Les Goelettes class for schooners. Time and again throughout the week, Adix and Atlantic showed that participating in the Bucket with a sense of camaraderie, passion, and adventure matters far more than standing on the podium. (The two staged their own challenge race on Sunday when official racing was cancelled.)
A Week to Remember
With three excellent race days and one blowout, the 2026 Bucket will be remembered as something truly special.
On shore, unforgettable social events brought owners and crews together in true Bucket fashion. On the water, the optional Thursday race — sailed by most of the fleet — helped soften the sting of Sunday’s cancellation and gave sailors one more chance to revel in the magic of Superyacht racing.
Above all, the Bucket remains what it has always been: a celebration of extraordinary yachts, passionate sailors, and a community unlike any other in the sport.
To our loyal Friends of the Bucket, whose support makes this extraordinary event possible, and to the yacht owners who ultimately give the Bucket its heart and soul — thank you.
We’ll see you on the starting line again next year!
The Stewards and Friends of the Bucket are critical to the success of the regatta.
Stewards are Royal Huisman and Vitters Shipyard. Friends of the Bucket are Baltic Yachts, BOAT International Media, BWA Yachting, Carenanilles Shipyard, Doyle Sailmakers, Dykstra Naval Architects, Edmiston, Fraser Yachts, Luxury Living St Barths, Monaco Yacht Club, Nautor Swan, North Sails, Pantaenius, Pendennis Shipyard, Pernod Ricard, Safe Harbor Marinas, Southern Spars, Tradewind Aviation, WIMCO/SB Properties, Z Marine Consultancy Services, and ZIS Bespoke Marine Insurance.