On the 30th anniversary of the year the Royal Huisman-built yacht Flyer II smashed all records in the 1981 Whitbread Round the World Race, Royal Huisman yachts set a flying pace in the 2011 St Barth’s Bucket – another anniversary as this is the 25th year of the Bucket Regattas.
Hanuman, the stunning modern recreation of the Super-J Class Endeavour II from Dykstra & Partners, achieved an impressive second overall out of a competitive fleet of 40 yachts that included the Farr-designed speed machines Leopard III and Sojana, and the modern recreation of her old Super-J Class rival, Ranger.
The stylish 58m flybridge ketch Twizzle, designed by Redman Whiteley Dixon / Dubois Naval Architects, arrived as a highly-fancied contender having taken second place, just three minutes behind Ghost, in the St Barth’s Round the Island Race a few weeks earlier – her very first race. Once again she showed a clean pair of heels, achieving the fastest elapsed time – the equivalent of line honours - in her class in every race. On this occasion, however, her handicap kept her from the podium.
The Ron Holland-designed 58m ketch Ethereal, racing in the same class as Twizzle (Grand Dames), also demonstrated that advanced technologies and advanced performance are by no means incompatible, achieving 4th, 3rd and 2nd best elapsed times in her races.
In total, six Royal Huisman yachts competed in this year’s St Barth’s Bucket with Hyperion, William Tai and Meteor also enjoying the spectacular racing. The Wolter Huisman Memorial Award for the yacht determined by the race committee to best exemplify the spirit of the Bucket was presented by Alice Huisman to the owners of Marie, who generously arranged daily air shows by WWII fighter planes.
For more photos and the results of this event please visit the NEWS section of the Royal Huisman website.
More photos and information about the particpating yachts can be found HERE.