The St Barth’s Bucket Regatta is the epitome of Superyacht racing, with hundreds of sailors travelling to the idyllic hot spot in the Caribbean after a two-year hiatus. This year marked the 35th edition of the event and where Doyle Sails passed a significant milestone, proudly powering more than 50% of the fleet, with 16 out of 30 superyachts ranging from 28 to 60m preferring Doyle. Heading into the fortieth year of sailmaking and building sails for the majority of the fleet is a testament to the people, the product and the innovation for which Doyle Sails has become renowned.
Many Superyachts showcased their Doyle Sails inventories in their full splendour with breezy conditions and generous sea state proving to be an exciting challenge – albeit a worthwhile challenge as the majority were rewarded with a spot on the podium.
The winner in the J Class was the refitted 41.63m Burgess sloop Ranger. Ranger, who hadn’t been sailed in six years, was an unknown against the other two J Class yachts but powered through to a spectacular first-place victory. Onboard was Jordi Calafat as tactician and Daniel Fong as trimmer alongside the new Stratis Structured Luff sails recently delivered.
In Class A, Les Gazelles des Mers, Hetairos secured both the class win and the Hermès Bucket Trophy for the second consecutive time. Hetairos showcased their Doyle Structured Luff sails throughout the regatta. In second and third place behind Hetairos was Nilaya, with a partial inventory and Leopard 3, the 100ft stalwart of super yachting, skippered by Chris Sherlock.
Doyle Sails CEO Mike Sanderson was onboard Aquarius’s first-place victory in Class B, alongside New Zealander Justin Ferris and Doyle Sails Palma’s Scott Zebny as trimmers. Aquarius finished ahead of 49.7m classically styled Meraki in second place and Elfje in fifth. Meraki was launched in 2020, with a complete inventory designed by Doyle Sails’ Head Designer, Richard Bouzaid, who was on board for the event.
Elfje, at 52m long, drew looks of admiration across the racecourse. The owner and crew, including Doyle Sails Newport Director Rob MacMillan and Doyle Sails Managing Director David Duff, have been part of developing the exclusive Structured Luff technology. Both Aquarius and Meraki also have Doyle Structured Luff sails onboard, which offer more power and drive from less luff sag, delivering results.
Podium results were no less spectacular throughout the rest of the fleet. Doyle powered Nakupenda finished third in Class C with Doyle Sails Newport Director Tony Rey onboard, with Action in 4th, Aurelius in 5th and Whisper in 6th.
Rosehearty, with a history of Bucket Regatta success, claimed first place in Class D with a complete Doyle Sails inventory built and fitted by Doyle Sails Italy.
It was a clean sweep across the board in Class E with Symmetry in 1st place, ahead of Columbia in 2nd and Vijonara in 3rd. Vijonara also claimed the Owner Driver award for the owner who did an outstanding job on the helm during the race.
After eight years of developing and validating the performance benefits of its Structured Luff technology, Doyle Sails passed a significant milestone this year when the concept reached the market-acceptance tipping point to become mainstream, showcased here with 50% of the fleet choosing the technology.
‘Customers have seen and understood the benefits of Structured Luff technology, and increasingly the pro sailors advising owners are pushing them in this direction,’ says Doyle Sails CEO Mike Sanderson.
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