St Barths Bucket - 2009 Announcement of Regatta (NOR)

Announcement of Regatta
St Barthelemy Bucket
March 26 - March 29, 2009

The St. Barth’s Bucket is an invitational regatta set in the Corinthian spirit.  The regatta is open to yachts over 100’ (31 M) L.O.A., unless invited under the Grandfather Clause (bribes accepted by the R.C.!).  Yachts participating will do so at their own risk.  This is a fun regatta and safety is the primary concern of the Race Committee.  Therefore, we extend an invitation to the owners, captains, crews and guests who participate to make this a fun and safe event. 

Once again, we find ourselves overwhelmed with interest in the 2009 St. Barths Bucket Regatta, scheduled for launching at the Skippers’ Meeting and Welcome Part on 26 March 2009 with sailing 27-29 March.  This year, the Authorities in St Barths have allowed us to expand the fleet by 10%; therefore we will be able to invite 33 yachts to participate in the St Barths Bucket. 

The Port Authorities in Gustavia have been very kind once again, to reserve the entire Quay for St. Barth’s Bucket participating yachts.   As usual, we will do everything possible to make dock space available for as many Yachts as possible within the constraints of the available space, which provides for 22 – 25 yachts.  With your application, please let us know if you prefer to be alongside or at anchor, understanding that the yachts alongside typically participate in the Bucket Open House on Friday evening, sharing hospitality with the fleet. 

This year we have been forced to tighten up on our entry fee policy, because last year we had the unfortunate experience of having our 30 yacht full fleet experience 6 drop outs when it was too late to fill those positions.  Therefore, your position will be reserved upon receipt of your entry fee.  Cancellations prior to 15 December will be refunded, less a 25% administration fee; Cancellations between 15 December and 15 January will be refunded 50%; there is no refund after 15 January.  This will allow us to maintain a waiting list that can be cleared by mid January to allow each yacht time for appropriate planning to attend the event. 

The Bucket rating rule has gone global!!!

After six years of development and refinement, Jim Teeters’ VPP based Bucket Rating Rule has been adopted by the Superyacht Regattas in Antigua and Palma, Mallorca as the standard for all pursuit racing.  Beginning with the 2008 Antigua Superyacht Regatta this December, all Bucket and Superyacht Regattas will be rated by the same Rule, and by the same team, managed by Jim Teeters of US Sailing. 
The net result to the participants should streamline the application process and bring parity to the Regatta results.  With nearly a hundred yachts already in the system, the Bucket Rule has truly hit its stride. 
With this globalization in mind, we encourage all Owners and Captains to review your application information.  These are the inputs from which we create your yacht’s individual Velocity Prediction Program, which is further refined by on-water observation of actual results.  If your yacht is observed to be well sailed, but the results fail to provide the earned rewards, we will use the observed results to modify your original design inputs, i.e. adding or subtracting effective sail area, modifying displacement, center of gravity, or other inputs,  to bring the calculated performance in line with the actual on water performance.  Basically, we are replacing an exhaustive measurement process - in and out of water - which would be extremely costly with regard to time and labor, with performance observation applied in VPP analysis terms.  Therefore, we ask all owners and captains to review all design inputs on the rating application to insure comprehensive accuracy.  The accuracy of your reporting in this regard will be measured directly by the length of the Bucket Finish Line!  We want you all there at once!!
The Bucket Rule will be updated on an annual basis.  An original Velocity Prediction Program and rating will cost €400.  After the first year, there will be an annual rating fee of €100, for any year in which the yacht will participate in a Bucket or Superyacht Regatta.  Any changes to the yacht which affect performance (new sails, propellers, spars, etc.) will call for a VPP review and modification at €250.

REGATTA RULES

In the spirit of the event and as in previous years . . .

• This is a pursuit race, In the interest of safety; each yacht will be assigned her own starting time, slower yachts starting first.  The first yacht to cross the Finish, wins.  With proper handicaps, the fleet should finish in close proximity.  Ratings MAY be adjusted after each day’s race, to level the fleet.
  
  
• Yachts are allowed to use their engines and thrusters up to the starting line for safety reasons.  HOWEVER, EACH YACHT’S ENGINE MUST BE OUT OF GEAR TWO MINUTES PRIOR TO HER START.  YACHTS MUST START UNDER SAIL POWER ALONE, except to avoid collision. 
  
  
• There will be no recalls; any yacht crossing the starting line early will have FIVE minutes added to her elapsed time.
  
  
• Basic ISAF Yacht Racing Rules shall apply with the understanding that this is a congenial regatta.  At every opportunity, give way to reduce the risk of collision. We have redoubled our focus on collision avoidance in Bucket Regattas.  Over and above the basic ISAF rules, the COLREGS General Prudential Rule is foremost – COLLISIONS ARE TO BE AVOIDED BY ALL AND EVERY MEANS.  Yachts handled in an overly aggressive manner WILL be excused from racing in Bucket Events
  
  
• In the interest of safety and collision avoidance, and in recognition of the fact that our yachts are singularly challenged with regard to their capability to turn or stop on a dime, ALL YACHTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN AN ACTIVE RADIO WATCH ON VHF CHANNEL 15, FROM THE TIME THE YACHT ENTERS THE STARTING AREA UNTIL SHE DEPARTS THE FINISH AREA AFTER THE RACE.  The purpose of the radio watch is to maintain an active, bridge to bridge communication capability among the fleet, such that when in close quarters any yacht may request any competitor to “state their intentions” and resolve the best course for collision avoidance. 
  
  
• VHF Channel 73 will be used as the official race channel unless otherwise stated on the daily notice.
  
  
• Should postponements be required, they will be made in one-hour increments.  As such, your start time will be moved back exactly one hour.  The Race Committee will endeavor to announce any postponement before the fleet leaves the dock.
  
  
• Protests will be frowned upon by the Race Committee.  However, a protest will be heard if accompanied by a chilled case of champagne.  (The quality of the champagne may improve the chances of a successful outcome).
  
  
• SAIL SAFELY FIRST, THEN FAST.  WIN THE PARTY!

Provisional Schedule of Events

Thursday, March 26th

1700 - 1900
Skipper’s meeting: Location to be announced.
Limit, three persons per racing yacht - by invitation only.

Friday, March 27th

0900 hours
Fleet briefing at the Quay – Start times & sailing instructions distributed

1100 hours
First Gun/First Race – “Around the Island Race”

1900 - 2100 hours
Fleet Open House: Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres served aboard the yachts, stern to at the quay. Each yacht is encouraged to share their best libation and fare with the other yacht owners, crews and local dignitaries.

Saturday, March 28th

0900 hours
Fleet briefing at the Quay – Start times & sailing instructions distributed

1100 hours
First Gun/Second Race – “The Wiggley Course”

1900 – 2100 hours
Owner’s Cocktail Party, 4 representatives per yacht, by invitation only.
Location to be announced.

2000 hours - Whenever ...
Bucket Bash - Cocktails, light fare, music & dancing; under the marquee at the Quay.

Sunday, March 29th

0900 hours
Fleet briefing at the Quay – Start times & sailing instructions distributed

1100 hours
First Gun/Third Race – Around the Island Clockwise

1900 hours
Awards Presentation and Cocktail Party at the Quay

Details, Details, Details

All St. Barth’s Bucket Participants must be aware that the event will be sailed under the jurisdiction of French Maritime Law.   Since the 2004 St. Barth’s Bucket, the fleet has made a serious effort to comply with the requirements of the local application of French Maritime Law. The Capitainerie, the Mayor’s Office and the Port Officials were extremely grateful to the yachts, for our efforts with regard to respecting their laws.  Again, for the 2009 St. Barth’s Bucket, the Race Committee and the Fleet will make all efforts to manage and sail the event in compliance. 

For inquiries for Dockage, Housing and General St. Barth’s information contact:

For General regatta information and inquiries you may also contact:

St Barths Chart