The
Ninth Annual Newport Bucket Regatta

August 25 – 28, 2011

August
24, 2011

The
racing committee of the Ninth Annual Newport Bucket Regatta has decided to call
off racing amidst the threat of Hurricane Irene as she travels towards the US.  At present, Irene is a Category 3 storm,
with forecasters predicting her classification will rise to a far more dangerous Category 4
as she passes the Bahamas.

With
entries ranging from 47m Royal Huisman yacht Hyperion to 22m Alden sloop Fearless, organisers were keen to
ensure the safety of the yachts and their crew as the hurricane advances
forward.

The
Captains met with Event Director Peter Craig and Bucket Director Hank Halsted
Wednesday evening. It was the consensus (among all nine boat captains
represented) that Irene’s very real threat has made a no-race decision on
Saturday the only choice. Transitioning from race mode to storm mode for
superyachts is extremely time-consuming.

Five
Bucket yachts are currently in Martha’s Vineyard for the lobster bake and
feeder race to Newport. While Irene has nixed the race, Thursday’s dinner party
will be spectacular. Three of the five yachts are repositioning to Maine
on Friday.

While
yachts will be preparing and positioning for the storm, there are owners, crew
and guests who will be able to enjoy the Bucket Bash at the Newport Shipyard.
The Bash, which has been moved from Saturday to Friday will feature all the
food and festivities planned for this special 25th Anniversary Celebration.

Every
effort was made by the event organizer and the boat captains to squeeze in a
race, and while that was not meant to be, the Bucket Spirit lives on!

For
more information on the Newport and St Barts Bucket Regattas, visit their
website http://www.bucketregattas.com

Photo: Bequia leaving Newport and heading to Maine to seek safe anchorage from Irene.

Courtesy of Vanessa Hall (www.vanessahallphotography.com)