59m Maximus Takes Second Overall in Class at 2026 St Barths Bucket

Maximus opens with a race victory

Vitters-built 59-metre Maximus took a win on the opening race day of the 2026 St Barths Bucket. The yacht finished 30 seconds ahead of her closest competitor in Les Gazelles des Mers.

A third-place result in the second race left Maximus second on the class podium overall. The final race was cancelled because of high winds, making the earlier results decisive.

Crew teamwork becomes the defining factor

Vitters sales and marketing manager Bas Peute joined the race team and highlighted the coordination required to handle a yacht of this scale under full sail. The Bucket places large crews under pressure because manoeuvres must be both fast and highly controlled.

That operating environment gives builders a rare opportunity to see their yachts pushed much harder than during normal cruising. Loads, sail-handling systems and crew ergonomics are all tested in real competition.

Regatta participation keeps builders close to the fleet

Vitters remains involved with the Bucket as a steward and through the yachts it has delivered. That relationship gives the yard ongoing contact with owners, captains and technical teams who operate the boats season after season.

For Maximus, the 2026 result adds another strong performance to a programme built around active sailing. It also reinforces the yard’s positioning in the high-performance cruising market.