Steve Branagh Returns From Yet Another Memorable St Barths Bucket

Steve Branagh Returns From Yet Another Memorable St Barths Bucket

Published 30 March 2015
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Published 30 March 2015

One of the most exciting regattas of the Caribbean is now over and our RSB Steve is back to tell us all about the epic St Barths Regatta where he raced for three days on Pendennis Shipyard built S/Y Rebecca. This is not the first time that Steve has raced on Rebecca having raced with them for the Antigua Superyacht Challenge at the end of January 2015 and on many previous occasions.

Steve had this to say from the boat, 'Day 1 and the race ran anti-clockwise around the island. On Rebecca we had a good first beat but had a few issues managing traffic on the down wind leg around the north side. S/Y Marie took first with S/Y Adela second and S/Y Elfje took 3rd at her regatta premier.'

'Day 2 was the Wiggly Course.. and started with a downwind leg to the rocks on the west of the island. The fleet then headed up wind before completing a number of short legs around yet more rocks before fetching back up to the finish line off Gustavia. This was a better race for us however a few errors cost us a better finishing position and resulted in a 4th place. The day ended with a spectacular air-show put on by the owners of Marie and the Mirabella V featuring 8 Second World War fighters and bombers that had flown down from Texas for the bucket.'

'Day 3 took the fleet clockwise around the island and gave a long beat around the top before a run into the finish line. On Rebecca we sailed a pretty good beat and were only passed by Ganesha while catching the other boats in our class and holding off a very quick Elfje. On the final bear away and just as we were overtaking Adela the A2 spinnaker blew out allowing both Elfje and Adela to pull away again as we changed to the A4. The final mile into the finish had around 20 boats gybing into the line and although 1st place went to Ganesha, Elfje finished 8 seconds ahead of Adela which tied them on points for the regatta class win.'

'The overall regatta win went to a very happy Hasso Platner, the owner of Visione, who sailed impeccably throughout the event.' Steve also mentions the latest topic on everyones lips at the moment, the new ORCsy ruling.'

'At the end of what was yet another fantastic “bucket” event the talk on the dock was all very positive about the new ORCsy rating system and as always the plans for the upcoming Superyacht regattas in Sardinia and Palma. RSB will be in Porto Cervo for the Loro Piana series and of course we will be both working and sailing hard in Palma during the Super Yacht Cup. We look forward to seeing everyone one there.'

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