Baltic defends St Barths Bucket title

In a stunning comeback following a two-year St Barths Bucket hiatus caused by the pandemic, Baltic 197 Hetairos defended her regatta title by winning the event overall and taking the award for Best Starter. Baltic 112 Nilaya came a close 2^nd in the Les Gazelles de Mer class to complete an impressive one/two for Baltic in a windy regatta restricted to two days of sailing.

In a welcome return to full-on superyacht regatta racing, the St Barths Bucket delivered by attracting 30 of the world’s top yachts, including the J-Class, which sailed their own regatta alongside the Bucket programme. Ranger prevailed in their three-race event which was also truncated by strong winds.

Racing was tough, taking place in 25 knot trade winds and big seas. Graham Newton skippered the Dykstra/Reichel Pugh-designed Hetairos to a 1^st and a 3^rd to take her class and Nilaya scored a 3^rd and 1^st to keep Leopard tucked away in 3^rd place.

Hetairos breaking the round Antigua record

Hetairos arrived in St Barths raring to go following her outstanding performance in the Superyacht Challenge Antigua in which she set a new round Antigua record of 3hr 46min 08sec for the 46.8m course taking almost 10 minutes off the previous record.

A number of other Baltic-built yachts were in attendance at St Barths, although not racing, including Baltic 68 Café Racer Pink Gin Verde which was available for sailing demonstrations before heading back to the Mediterranean to prepare for the summer season.

Baltic 68 Pink Gin Verde

Representatives from Baltic Yachts attended the Superyacht Racing Association (SYR) AGM in St Barths, taking an active role in the association’s important work to improve safety in superyacht racing and grow the sport.

Superyacht racing is back and as a Friend of the Bucket we are delighted to see Baltic Yachts very much in the driving seat!