PAR RACHEL BARRETT-TRANGMAR
Sailing since early childhood it is no surprise that Peter Craig has become the anchor of prestigious yachting events.
For the past 15 years the St-Barths Bucket Regatta has benefi tted from his organising prowess. What is your role in the yachting world ? I work in the superyacht racing sector, principally in event and race management. My company Premiere Racing manages both the on-water and shoreside components of the St-Barths Bucket Regatta. In addition, I’ve been the Executive Director for the Superyacht Racing Association since it was founded in 2011 ; and I am also the Principal Race Officer for other key regattas across the world, including the Rolex Maxi and Rolex Swan regattas in Sardinia. What inspired you to become involved in this superyachting world ? It was in fact the recession in 2008 that in turn affected the yachting domain. For almost two decades I had been the owner and manager of the Key West Race Week, a renowned international multi-class yachting event that was greatly affected by this economic slump. I thus decided to change course and get involved in other regattas, which had survived this period relatively unscathed, notably the superyacht racing arena.
What is your connection with the St-Barths Bucket Regatta ?
Prior to 2008, the stewards of the St-Barths Bucket frequently asked me to get involved in their regatta. The Bucket was growing in popularity, while safe sailing and fair racing were becoming key issues. Thus in 2009 I agreed to organise the racing, and in 2011 I became the Race and Event Director managing all aspects of this exclusive regatta
Can you tell me the history of the Bucket Regatta ?
The Bucket Regatta began as a friendly race amongst a few superyacht owners in Nantucket, Massachusetts in 1986. A simple bucket was deemed to be the token prize, the true winnings being the pure pleasure and camaraderie of friends sharing a similar passion for sailing. For over 35 years, the Bucket Regatta has been a successful annual event, fi rst in Nantucket then in Newport, Rhode Island from 2002 until 2014. In between time, stewards Ian Craddock and Tim Laughridge instigated the very fi rst Bucket Regatta on St-Barts in 1995, which has continued in March every year since then (excepting Covid). The size and number of yachts may have grown signifi cantly, but the spirit of the event has remained unchanged.
What type of boats can enter the St-Barths Bucket ?
This regatta is exclusively for cruising sailing yachts with a minimum length of 30.5 metres (100 feet) – which is what commonly defi nes a superyacht.
What distinguishes the St-Barths Bucket from other sailing regattas ?
There is no other superyacht regatta of its magnitude that can boast such scenic and challenging race courses with relatively dependable trade winds. The Bucket also has an impressive standalone social itinerary in the context of a French Caribbean island with all it has to offer superyacht owners and their guests. Yet above all, the camaraderie and pleasure of sailing are the essence of this event – which is what makes the St-Barths Bucket Regatta unique on the superyacht racing circuit.
What other related events take place on St-Barts during this Regatta ?
The race village on the Quay, with its bar and on-stage entertainment, is open to participants and islanders alike, in the evening from Thursday to Saturday. Then on the Sunday, when all the races have been completed, the award ceremony takes place at the Collectivity across the harbour. We are expecting a good turnout on the dock this year, which is equally an opportunity to admire the magnifi cent yachts.
How do the people of St-Barts benefi t from the Bucket Regatta ?
The racing itself provides a great spectacle all around the island, offering amazing views that highlight the beauty of St-Barts. This regatta signifi cantly benefi ts the island’s economy : local businesses, hotels, villas, restaurants and bars. In addition, each year the Bucket donates a percentage of the yacht entry fee to a local worthy cause ; examples include the youth sailing programme of the St-Barts Yacht Club, the Coral Restoration Association, and the Fund for Emergency Medical Equipment.
What message would you like to convey to the readers of Coccoloba ?
The Bucket would not be possible without the cooperation and support of the local volunteers, the Collectivity of St-Barts, the Port of Gustavia, the St-Barts Yacht Club and many more dedicated people and island organisations. This essential part of the regatta also allows me to better manage the racing and events. Together we form a strong crew that helps to make the Bucket what it is, thereby encouraging yacht owners to take part for conviviality and enjoyment year after year.
Future St-Barths Bucket Regatta Dates :
21-24 March 2024
13-16 March 2025
12-15 March 2026
Website : www. bucketregatta.com
