St Barths Bucket Regatta: 16-19 March 2017

Over the years, many of the world’s most beautiful sailing yachts have participated in this renowned regatta in beautiful St Barthelemy known for its white-sand beaches, chic hotels and designer shops. This year's 30th edition takes place from 16-19 March and is expected to include a record number of magnificent J Class yachts. 

St Barths Bucket has evolved over the years, with larger fleets and a more shoreside activities, but the event continues maintains its original camaraderie and non-commercial spirit, conceived purely for the pleasure and enjoyment of the sailing superyacht owner.

2017 St Barths Bucket - Preliminary Schedule of Events

Notice & Conditions of Race

A Brief History of the Bucket Regattas

The first Bucket Regatta was organized in Nantucket, Massachusetts in August 1986 by Roger Janes, Captain of the 82’ Huisman Ketch, VOLODOR, Peter Goldstein, owner-captain of the 65’ Derecktor Sloop, FLYING GOOSE, and John Clyde Smith, captain of the 92’ Bill Garden designed sloop, MANDALAY, as part of MANDALAY owner Nelson Doubleday’s birthday celebrations.

A discussion about optimal yacht design and individual sailing prowess resulted in a 15 mile course on Nantucket Sound the following day and seven sailing superyachts took part. The intended prize was simply bragging rights for the year. Later a spare bucket became the prize and the rest is history. 

Photo: Pantaenius Yacht Insuance - M. Kurtz

Between 1986 and 2001, the Nantucket Bucket flourished, later moving to Newport, Rhode Island between 2002 to 2014. In 1995, the beautiful French island of St Barths hosted its first Bucket Regatta and hs continued to host it in March every year since.

Within a decade, the St Barths Bucket grew beyond all expectations, and with a limit of 40 yachts imposed by the local authorities, the Bucket has been full every year since 2005, overflowing with applicantions even before the Notice of Race is published.

The spirit of the event has remained unchanged since the start of the Bucket Regatta, the goal being to enjoy the race and 'win the party'.  

Watch the video from last year's edition:

The Very Best of the 2016 St Barths Bucket

The race format has changed in recent years, with the emphasis now on class racing. This created an opportunity to reestablish quantitative criteria for the overall winner of the Bucket Trophy. Yachts eligible for the prestigious award will be class winners (superyachts over 30m) and the winner who prevails in the ‘most competitive, closely contested class’ will be crowned the overall winner.

The shoreside activities during the St Barths Bucket Regatta are unparalleled with the Bucket dates being St Barths' second biggest week of the year after their popular New Year’s Eve festivities.

Race viewing parties will be held daily at some of the island’s most iconic beachfront establishments, and by night Bucket parties abound at private villas and at local restaurants in true St Barths tradition. Many regulars proclaim that the Bucket week is their favorite time of the year!

Photo: Pantaenius Yacht Insuance - M. Kurtz

Previous winners of St Barths Bucket:  

2016: Unfurled

2015: Visione

2014: Marie