The Bucket Fleet is starting to arrive.

phil62

Senior Insider
We drove into Gustavia last night and had a bite to eat at Baz. This was shot afterwards on the way back to the car.

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Phil
 
St Barths Bucket: 2014 News & Updates

Some Bucket news.

Hank's Blog - 5 March 2014
The entries are in for the 2014 edition of the St Barths Bucket Regatta and we have a great fleet heading to the beautiful island of St Barthélemy. Thirty eight of the world's largest sailing superyachts will gather in Gustavia for three days of great trade wind sailing, wholesome competition, shore side camaraderie and shenanigans St Barths style.
New Launches to Compete
The fleet will include a number of the latest launches from the world's premier superyacht builders.
Two recently launched Perini Navi yachts designed by Ron Holland will join the fleet: the newly designed 40m Sloop, STATE OF GRACE and a new 60m Ketch. SEAHAWK will be easily distinguished not only by her magnificent profile, but also by her crimson Aramid standing rigging by Future Fibers, supporting her towering spars.
Making their Bucket debut are competing 2012 launches from the Royal Huisman Shipyard. The classic Spirit of Tradition 38m sloop, PUMULA and the 49m Ketch KAMAXITHA are both Dykstra Naval Architects designs.
INOUI, the brilliant green 36m carbon fiber sloop by Vitters Shipyard will pace the fleet around the various courses. Also from Vitters, the 46m Sloop GANESHA will join us for her racing debut.
These six new launches will join their thirty two competitors, most of which have sailed in numerous Bucket Regattas, to comprise yet another Bucket superyacht fleet of historic proportions.
Schedule Updates
Registration will open at 0900 on 27 March, with a "Rules Review" seminar beginning concurrently. After a day of practice sailing, learning and taming the ropes (lines), the Skippers Meeting, Welcome Party and Owner's reception will follow.
After Friday's racing, at 1700 the Bucket will host a presentation by the Environmental Agency of St Barths and the NGO Megaptera, to educate the community on a concurrent scientific project, tagging and tracking whale migrations. The symposium will be followed by the Fleet Open House, a traditional highlight of all Bucket events.
Saturday night will host the annual Bucket Bash on the Quay in Gustavia. With a tropical theme, there will be dining, dancing and music by the very popular Soley into the night!
This year for the Sunday evening awards, the Government of St Barths has extended an invitation for the Awards Ceremony to be held on the grounds of the Hôtel de la Collectivité, the Government offices across the harbor from the Capitainerie. We have gratefully accepted the invitation and look forward to sharing Bucket Hospitality with the entire racing fleet and our friends in St Barths.
Racing and Awards
In the Bucket Tradition, racing will be pursuit style with the slowest rated yachts starting first and finishes determined by the order of finish. The fleet is divided into four classes: Les Grandes Dames, Les Mademoiselles, Les Elegantesand Les Gazelles des Mers and we will continue the successful focus on competition within the classes. All yachts share the same starting and finishing line and sail the assigned course for their specific class. The starting times are structured, such that the classes finish at different times - in the interest of safety, the gap between class finishes will likely be approximately 10 minutes as it was last year.
Live Race Tracking is an exciting addition to the race coverage. Details on how to connect and view the races will be provided in our next update and will be posted on the web site.
Daily awards will be presented to the top finishers in each class. Handcrafted, limited edition Chelsea Clocks will be awarded to the four class winners, with second and third place in each class also receiving elegant trophies. The overall winner will be recognized as well. The yacht's name will be added to the perpetual St Barths Bucket trophy and they will receive a beautiful crystal Bucket keepsake trophy.
As usual, we will pay particular attention to the traditional Bucket discretionary awards for meritorious acts and the occasional eyebrow raising behavior that perpetuates the "je ne sais quoi" spirit of the event. These include the Wolter Huisman "Spirit of the Bucket Award", the Vitters Seamanship and Sportsmanship Trophy, the Holland Jachtbouw Cool Crew Award and the coveted Skulduggery Cravat, for the yacht or crew that demonstrates the best and most fun, 'left field non-adult behavior".
St. Barths Charity Donation
Each year, the Bucket Regatta designates a portion of the entry fees for donation to a meaningful non-profit program in St Barths. This year the St Joseph School and their grounds improvement project will be the recipient of our donation.
One of the oldest educational institutions on the island, The St Joseph School is a private Catholic institution that welcomes more than 200 students ages 3-11, from kindergarten through primary school. The school is in need of funds to improve the schoolyard/playground, where the clay coated sand is a health risk to the children and must be upgraded.
The 2014 St Barths Bucket is pleased to be able to help the St Joseph School and allow the children to continue to learn and grow in a healthy environment.
Welcome, and Thank You, New Bucket Sponsors!
We are grateful to be joined by several new supporting sponsors. They will help us to continue the Bucket tradition that celebrates the superyacht industry and recognizes the yachts and their owners as they perpetuate this marvelous sport.
Skuld Yacht brings a major marine underwriting firm to the superyacht arena with tremendous capabilities for innovation and tailoring coverage to our owner's specific needs.
Tradewind Aviation has also joined the Bucket fleet with generous support, while providing by far a most efficient way to get to our favorite Caribbean destination.
Thank you to all Bucket Sponsors
It is with great pleasure and thanks that we acknowledge all of our Bucket sponsors.
Major sponsors are Alloy Yachts, Holland Jachtbouw, Perini Navi, Royal Huisman and Vitters Shipyard.
Returning supporting sponsors are Burgess, Camper & Nicholson, Doehle Yachts, Doyle, Future Fibres, Newport Shipyard, North Sails, Pantaenius, Pendennis, Rybovich, the Superyacht Report, US Trust, and ZIS Insurance.
Taittinger Champagne and Barbeyrolles Rose are official suppliers.
 
Nice to read of a relatively unpublicized side of this event -- its charitable donation:

"Each year, the Bucket Regatta designates a portion of the entry fees for donation to a meaningful non-profit program in St Barths. This year the St Joseph School and their grounds improvement project will be the recipient of our donation.
One of the oldest educational institutions on the island, The St Joseph School is a private Catholic institution that welcomes more than 200 students ages 3-11, from kindergarten through primary school. The school is in need of funds to improve the schoolyard/playground, where the clay coated sand is a health risk to the children and must be upgraded."
 
This act of kindness was our breakfast talk today. In the past I know that the hospital and the Nuns living quarters have been tapped as recipients of the Bucket's generosity.
 
I knew about the hospital, Amy . . . and as an occasional patient there, I'm very grateful for all contributions to it! Regarding the nuns . . . I had forgotten that, and they also were such a wonderful recipient. I remember being in the old convent, before renovation . . . it was a throwback to the mid-19th century, without the gloss of a PBS series. Wendy and I sometimes take left over food from our kitchen to the nuns when we leave the island . . . they're very appreciative (most especially when I include a bottle of wine (or two)).
 
We will be there on Wed! Can't wait. Seahawk was there last month- a beautiful boat. We will be out on a Contender amidst the boats taking pictures and enjoying the excitement!
 
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