Following a two-year hiatus, the world’s most impressive sailing superyachts gathered in Gustavia, St Barths as superyacht owners, crews and guests brought the spirit of the Bucket back with some exhilarating racing and epic shoreside fun at this year’s St Barths Bucket Regatta.
Since 1986, the St. Barths Bucket has hosted the largest sailing yachts and it’s safe to say, the citizens, local government and businesses were thrilled to have this superyacht sailing event back after two years of pandemic related restrictions and lockdowns. Covid protocols were in place for the 2022 edition and the show went on… and boy, what a show it was!
This year, 30 entries comprised seven competitive classes: five for traditional superyachts, and one each for historic J-Class boats and by popular demand the newly added “Les Petites Dames” (28-metre yachts).
The winner in the J-Class Yachts was the 41.63 metre sloop Ranger, skippered by Ed Baird, who described her entry as neither favoured nor an underdog. A regular at this event in previous editions this was her chance to shine under new ownership and extensive refit. And dazzle she did on the racecourse. Ranger is a 1936 Sparkman & Stephens design commissioned by Harold “Mike Vanderbilt for an America’s Cup syndicate. She won 12 of 12 America’s Cup contest in 1937 and became a sailing legend.
Winning both of her races, the Dykstra NA 56.2 ketch Aquarius won Les Elegantes des Mers, repeating her 2019 victory in this class whilst the Swan Freya won in Les Petites Dames, a first-time class for smaller boats in the 27-metre range.
After three days of intense regatta racing, Sunday brought high winds and with it the unfortunate decision to cancel racing on the last day. This however did not stop the spirit of the bucket, as the show went on as planned at the Bucket’s final Awards Ceremony and Party.
Taking place at the White House Museum on the far side of Gustavia Harbour, and as expected, nothing – not even the disappointment of an abbreviated series – could get in the way of joyous celebration there, as hundreds of people gathered to watch, if not participate in, the collecting of class trophies and special awards.
The excitement culminated with the announcement of the Overall 2022 Bucket Winner, Hetairos pictured here on the front cover of the magazine. The 60-metre Dykstra designed ketch, built by Baltic Yachts, was also crowned the overall winner of the 2019 Bucket and returned as the largest yacht competing where she won her class (Les Gazelles) for a second time.
It was determined, by using quantitative criteria, that she had “prevailed in the most competitive, closely contested class;” thus, the honour of proudly hoisting high the stunning Hermès Bucket Trophy went to the capable team that sailed her.
Other special awards given were the Wolter Huisman Memorial Award, recognizing the yacht that has competed in the true spirit of the event, given to Sonny III (Les Petites Dames); the Owner/Driver Award, recognizing an owner who does an outstanding job at the helm, given to Vijonara (L’Esprit de Mar); and the Best Starter Award, recognizing the yacht that executes the closest start over the course of the regatta, given to Hetairos.
As the great and the good descended on the bijou French island in Havaianas and Hermès Orans once again, the shoreside social events and all that the island of St Barths offers also provided low-key high-octane fun. The island epitomises laid back luxury and offers the freedom you only feel in flip flops and luxury sliders.
It’s no surprise that luxury brand Hermès sponsors this event along with “Friends of the Bucket”, the long-standing partners who are established brands in the superyacht sector. The event attracts a large turnout of superyacht owners and guests and endorses the very best of the superyacht life.
We are all thrilled to see the bucket is back and there is talk of predicting an extraordinary fleet next year as enthusiasm for superyacht racing is high and the desire for luxury experiences post pandemic is strong. Dates for the 2023 edition of the Bucket are March 15 -19…. Save The Date!
About Alice Widdows
Alice Widdows Events and Marketing is a full-service event management company committed to creating the next generation of bespoke luxury superyacht events.
I offer Event Management, Modern Marketing and PR Services for individuals, SME’s and corporations throughout the superyacht sector.
Find me at any of the following superyacht regattas and events or connect with me online. I would love to help you build a superyacht brand through exclusive events and experiences.
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