Introduction to the Superyacht Cup Handicapping System

Handicapping in all Superyacht Cup and Bucket Regattas is accomplished by a ‘pursuit start system’, wherein each yacht is assigned her own starting time for each race, slower rated yachts starting first. The finishing order across the finish line determines the daily results.

Ratings and start times are determined using the Bucket Rule, a VPP (Velocity Prediction Program) assisted handicapping system administered by Jim Teeters of the Sailing Yacht Research Foundation (SYRF), and the Bucket Organization. The Bucket Rating will give an accurate projection of each yacht’s performance under the full range of wind velocities and wind angles under which the fleet will be racing.

For each day’s racing, the rule analyzes each yacht’s potential in the forecast conditions, adjusts start times and assigns the starting sequence accordingly. The start sequence, and even the START ORDER, may change even when the ratings do not.  This is necessary to give each well-sailed yacht an equal chance to win regardless of the wind speed and course layout.

The Bucket Committee does not routinely change ratings between races. Corrections may be applied to a yacht’s base rating, but only after repeated observation of race results which do not accurately reflect the yacht’s demonstrated on-water potential. Rating corrections are applied, only for “gross anomalies” as defined above.

For all entrants, it is critical to submit the information requested on the Ratings Application as accurately as possible. This is the primary input data used for your performance analysis.  Without exception, the greater accuracy provided by the yacht, the better the yacht’s chance of consistently performing well under the rule. For a complete description of the Bucket Rule and its application, visit the Bucket Website: www.bucketregattas.com <http://www.bucketregattas.com>

How to obtain or update your Bucket Rating

If your yacht has taken part in the St Barth’s Bucket or Newport Bucket since 2004 or The Superyacht Cup in Palma in 2009 or 2010 you will already have a “Bucket Rating” which can be updated by providing new information to Jim Teeters, please contact: kate@thesuperyachtcup.com for more information. If you are applying for your first rating certificate, please go to How to Enter section of the Registration page and download the application form. Please make sure you provide all the information requested in the form.

Classes

Depending on the size of the fleet, organizers will split yachts in to appropriate classes. Class lists will be provided prior to the first race of each regatta.