Tight Racing Sets Up Final-Day Showdowns

Moving Day at the Bucket Regatta brought new challenges for the 33 competing superyacht teams. Stronger winds—reaching 18–20 knots on the island’s north side—prompted longer courses and a downwind leg immediately after the start, demanding precise teamwork to hoist massive spinnakers. The clockwise “Wrong Way Around” race threaded the fleet along the island’s rocky outcrops, offering both opportunities and traps.

After two days of pursuit racing across nine classes, five new winners emerged and five classes are now tied for the lead heading into tomorrow’s final race.

Lead Changes Shake Up the Fleet

In L’esprit de la Mers-1 (Corinthian Spirit), Onyx moved to the top of the scoreboard after the 21.5-mile race, finishing 1:10 ahead of yesterday’s leader Inukshuk. The two boats are now tied going into the final day.

“It was a shock to our system to be beaten yesterday, so we knew we had to do better,” said Onyx tactician Mitch Booth. “Everything went our way, but the main difference is we used our staysail today. We looked for clean air, clear lanes, and no one else to disturb us.”

While this marks Booth’s 12th Bucket, it’s the owner-driver’s first. “She’s having a ball,” Booth added. “The Corinthian class is a great way to introduce someone to the sport: simpler sailing, fewer sails, less intimidation. Maybe we’ll move to spinnakers one day.”

In L’esprit de la Mers-2 (Corinthian Spirit), M5 overtook yesterday’s leader Melek in the final 200 meters of the 21.5-mile race, tying the class at three points apiece.

“We know this place from past events, but you have to pay attention to how the wind behaves around the island,” said M5 tactician Andrea Visintini. Sailing with only a mainsail and staysail due to a jib issue, the team minimized maneuvers. “Every tack and jibe is costly, so we try to keep things simple. Our owner drives the entire race, which really captures the Corinthian spirit of sailing these huge boats.”

In Les Gazelles des Mers, yesterday’s tight battle among three ketches flipped dramatically. Hetairos moved from third to first, Aquarius held second, and yesterday’s winner Maximus slipped to third. The three yachts are now tied on four points.

In Les Petites Dames (90-footers), Freya edged yesterday’s leader Hummingbird by 32 seconds, leaving both tied on three points heading into the final race.

In Les Grandes Dames, Perseus 3 showed strong speed upwind and down, catching yesterday’s winner Rosehearty on the final downwind leg of the 21.5-mile course. A late spinnaker-sheet issue aboard Rosehearty secured the win for Perseus 3, setting up another decisive showdown tomorrow.

Leaders Hold Their Advantage

Four teams successfully defended their leads.

In Les Cent Pieds (100-footers), V remains on top after earlier windward-leeward racing and two days of pursuit racing, leading Galatea 4 points to 7.

The schooner Adix continued its winning streak in Les Goélettes des Mers, posting two points overall to Atlantic’s four.

In Les Mademoiselles des Mers, Whisper delivered a second dominant win and now leads Aurelius by two points.

First-time Bucket entrant Geist also maintains a perfect scoreline in Les Élégantes des Mers, though navigator Graham Sunderland says the victories have been anything but easy.

“We’re fighting for every meter,” he said. “We’re in a good position since we only need to finish tomorrow to secure the win, but we’re mindful of the forecast and focused on getting around safely.”

Tomorrow’s forecast calls for heavier wind and rain, and organizers are considering custom courses to provide better protection from the elements.

Before that final showdown, Bucketeers will gather tonight for the much-anticipated Bucket Bash, featuring music by CAZA Band.

Photographs by Martin Baum – Pantaenius.