Charter Yachts Do Battle at St Barths Bucket 2017

By Rebecca Bradbury 20 March 2017

Two charter yachts, the 34m/112t sailing yacht SPIIP and the 56m/184ft sailing yacht ROSEHEARTY, won in their respective classes at the St Barths Bucket 2017, which drew to a close yesterday after three challenging days of racing.

The 30^th edition of the St Barths Bucket got underway on Friday 17^th March 2017, bringing a 38-strong fleet of majestic superyachts to the sun-drenched Caribbean island of St Barths.

In Class A, also known as Les Gazelles des Mers, the 33m/108ft sailing yacht WINWIN sailed to success, winning two out of three days of racing to secure first place on the leader board.

Launched by Baltic Yachts in 2014, WINWIN faced stiff competition in her class from last year’s overall winner, the 46m/151ft sailing yacht UNFURLED. Yet the Vitters-build was unable to replicate her 2016 form and was awarded third place in her category.

yachts underway at St Barths Bucket 2017

sailing yacht WINWIN at St Barths Bucket 2017

sailing yacht VISIONE at St Barths Bucket 2017

aerial view of yacht at the St Barths Bucket 2017

SPIIP, a 2000-delivery from Royal Huisman, was winner of the heavily contended Class B – or Les Elegantes des Mers – after three exciting days on the water.

She fought of competition from eight other yachts, including fellow charter yachts, the 34m/116ft sailing yacht SOJANA from Green Marine and the 46m/151ft sailing yacht GANESHA from Vitters. Overall, in Class B, the pair was placed in second and third position respectively.

Class D, referred to as Les Grandes Dames des Mers, offered the most spectacular sight for on-land spectators, with the iconic 88m/289t charter yacht ‘Maltese Falcon’ from Perini Navi in attendance.

Yet, it was ROSEHEARTY, also built by the Italian shipyard Perini Navi, who took home the first place trophy after strong racing performances on the two final days of the regatta.

sailing yacht ROSEHEARTY cuts through the water at St Barths Bucket 2017

colourful sails at St Barths Bucket 2017

sailing yachts compete at the St Barths Bucket 2017

The 2017 edition also welcomed the new ‘Corinthian Spirit Class’, which aimed to encourage more yachts to get involved in superyacht racing and create a more relaxed approach to regattas for owners and captains.

In its debut year, the new class was won by the 43m/141ft charter yacht KOO, another build from Vitters. Hot on her heels, however, was another charter yacht, the 52m/170ft sailing yacht Q from New Zealand yard Alloy Yachts, which came in in second place.

Another feature of the regatta was its electric social scene, with the Bucket days being St Barths second biggest week of the year after only their famed New Year’s Eve festivities. The island’s most iconic beachside establishments, private villas and local restaurants all joined in the fun.