2009 St Barths Bucket Regatta

The first St. Barths Bucket was sailed in 1995 with a fleet of 4 yachts; SARIYAH, the 131’ S & S ketch, Tom Taylor’s 108’ Ron Holland ketch, GLEAM, Nelson Doubleday’s 130’ Palmer Johnson ketch, MANDALAY and PARLAY, the Alden design 127’ Ketch.

As with the Nantucket Bucket, the St. Barth’s Bucket concept was encouraged and fully supported by Tom Taylor (owner of Gleam) and Nelson Doubleday (owner of Mandalay). The original organizers Tim Laughridge (Sariyah), John Clyde-Smith & Ian Craddock (Mandalay) and Mike Frierbend (Gleam) arranged a mostly informal event for the first few years. Fishing was a big part of the first races around St. Barths, with GLEAM the usual winner in that department.

The turning point came during the year of the famous LeMans start - Surely a first in any kind of yacht racing. With the fleet at anchor in Colombier, one crewmember was required to drink a daiquiri then take a high speed tender ride out to their vessel. The yachts were required to sail off their anchor (no engines) then at the end of the race sail onto their anchor for another high speed tender ride to the beach. For obvious safety reasons this was the first and last time the “LeMans” start/finish was attempted.

It was at this time the local authorities suggested that it appeared there was an annual regatta happening on their island and it would be best for all involved if the event was formalized with all appropriate permissions requested and requirements followed with the hosts, the St. Barths government, and the Federation Francaise de la Voile for formal permission to hold a Regatta in French Waters. This was the dawn of the modern Bucket format. Hank Halsted was brought in as Managing Director and with much help from St. Barth’s local, Melanie Smith, the event has evolved into what it is today.