Superyachts coming to Newport for Candy Store Cup

Newport Shipyard owner Charlie Dana and Bannister’s Wharf owner David Ray will carry forward the tradition of Superyacht racing in Newport, RI. Founded in Nantucket in 1986 by the late Nelson Doubleday, it was there that the Nantucket Bucket was raced for 15 years. After that, it came to Newport Shipyard – known as the Newport Bucket – where i­­t has been ever since.

But as the owners of the Bucket Regattas will now be concentrating their efforts on the St. Barths Bucket, the stewardship of the Newport regatta will now be transferred to the local hands of David and Charlie, who are not only participants but also understand well “the spirit” of what Nelson created.

Starting in July 2016, superyacht racing in Newport will continue as the ‘Candy Store Cup.’ The Candy Store Cup has good synergy with the Bucket; it was first won by Bill Ziegler’s GEM in 1977 and more recently by Kenny Read’s MAR MOSTRO, narrowly beating George David’s RAMBLER 100, in 2011. The Candy Store Cup will be the perfect sequel to honor the light-hearted tradition for which the regatta has always been known.

“I’m confident that Charlie and Eli Dana and David Ray will create an event that, like the Bucket, will bring spectacular superyachts together with sportsmanship and camaraderie,” said Bruce Brakenhoff, Jr., Bucket Steward and Perini Navi USA President. “These Newport stalwarts have the local relationships and knowledge to carve out a new chapter for superyacht racing in Newport. The Bucket stewards are very pleased that the Newport Bucket racing tradition will continue in New England and look forward to working with the new organizers to help ensure future success.”

The Shipyard and Bannister’s Wharf teams have already consulted yacht owners and captains and determined that a shift to earlier summer dates (tentatively July 21–24) will make it easier for more of the great sailing yachts to be in the neighborhood.

“Newport Shipyard is a longtime supporter and friend of the Bucket,” said Charlie Dana. “Initially, it was more of a party for the biggest sailing yachts that had no races to enter. Here we are three decades later with such spectacular racing and imagery that the sailing fraternity is not only agog but out in full force. Racing these boats is something I never would have dreamt possible as a child. How lucky we are. We can’t wait,” Dana said.

Stay tuned to www.NewportShipyard.com for more information.

UPDATE: Event dates are now July 29-31, 2016.