The St. Barths Bucket Regatta 2012 at the end of March was a huge success for the four Hoek Design superyachts, including the charter yacht This Is Us, the superyacht Firefly, the sailing yacht Marie as well as the Athos megayacht that took part in this popular race.
Hoek Design Superyachts racing at the St Barths Bucket 2012
THIS IS US
Proving that boats from the Hoek drawing boards perform equally as well as they look, the 43m classic charter yacht This Is Us, launched in 2006 at Holland Jachtbouw as Skylge, won the overall prize for best perfoming yacht. Not only was This Is Us first in her class, she also triumphed over all classes on handicap out of a fleet of 47 superyachts. “This success underlines the way large sail yachts are becoming more performance oriented,” says Andre Hoek. “This Is Us is the only schooner ever built with a lifting keel and sails extremely well in both light winds and heavy air. To come first out of such an exceptional fleet of vessels is a major achievement for the owners and crew.”
Luxury sailing yacht FIREFLY
FIREFLY
Making her Bucket debut was another extraordinary innovative boat from Hoek Design. The 35m luxury yacht Firefly is the prototype of the new one-design F-class, the second of which is already under construction. “Firefly showed her mettle by beating four J-class yachts on elapse time in most of the races and coming second overall in her class. She also outperformed many superyachts that are way larger both upwind and downwind in light and heavy airs.”
55m Superyacht Marie Photo Credit: clairematches
MARIE
Also racing around the stunning island of St Barthélemy to great effect was the 55m sailing yacht Marie, completed by Vitters in 2010. “Marie had an exceptional week, coming fourth in her class and in eighth spot overall,” explains Hoek. “She had to start as one of the last boats on the race course and most days caught up with over forty yachts, some of which started an hour ahead on a two-hour course.”
Megayacht ATHOS
ATHOS
The fourth Hoek Design yacht to feature in St Barths had the distinction of being the largest on display. Also built by Holland Jachtbouw, the giant 62m megayacht Athos was one of the most spectacular sights on the whole course. “It was marvellous to see this stunning schooner wow the crowds for the first time in a Bucket regatta and her potential is now clear for all to see,” concludes Hoek. “Everyone at Hoek design is genuinely proud of the achievements of our vessels in St baths and reminded of what a rpivilege it is to partner with such ambitious owners.”
