This March, a magnificent fleet of almost 50 of the latest sailing yachts converged on St Barths to enter the latest Bucket Regatta.
The main reason for the success of the Bucket regattas, which draw yachts and designers from all over the world to the Caribbean, is their non-commercial flavour and the emphasis on the fun rather than the winning.
As a result, many other yachts not actually entered in the regatta were also there to watch the racing and join the festivities.
Ron Holland Design was well represented with a total of 9 yachts entered in the racing this year. There were 7 Perini Navi design collaborations ( Baracuda, Fidelis, Helios II, Panthalassa, Parsifal III, Zenji and the latest, Clan VIII) and 2 custom Ron Holland designs, Blue Too and Boo Too. In addition, several more Ron Holland designed yachts had made the trip to St Barths to view the spectacle.
Ron writes ”The St Barths Bucket is a special event for Ron Holland Design. I have participated in most of the events, since the first race in Nantucket in 1987. Until 2010, I always sailed aboard Gleam (renamed Avalon). With Avalon cruising the Pacific Ocean this year, I joined Boo Too. At 90 ft, Boo Too was the smallest yacht in the Bucket fleet. Our senior designer, Rob Doyle, sailed aboard Baracuda”.
This year’s event has seen the largest ever fleet of sailing yachts competing. The event was suitably marked with the publication of the ‘Bucket Book’(see above), which reflects 25 years of unique megayacht racing.
Our designs, Avalon, Christopher and several Perini Navi design collaborations feature prominently among the book’s magnificent photographs.”