The enduring appeal of Palma for superyacht owners

It’s undoubtedly the case that some long-running regattas, no matter their historical past and illustrious heritage, can from time to time turn out to be a bit ‘samey’, missing shock and the thrill of the sudden. Having just lately celebrated its twenty eighth version the Superyacht Cup Palma may appear a attainable candidate for such an unwelcome label… However in actuality in 2024? Not an opportunity!

On the ‘sudden’ aspect there have been one or two occurrences not predicted within the brochure, and the occasion as soon as once more delivered aggressive racing and a jubilant social aspect ashore to keep up its ‘distinctive vibe’, as one skipper put it. Briefly: enjoyable.

To start out at the start, the primary day of racing within the newest instalment of Europe’s longest-running superyacht regatta bought off to a flying begin with the trio of J Class opponents demonstrating their enduring attraction for sailors and spectators alike with two windward-leeward races out on the Bay of Palma. The always-competitive Svea took each race wins – forward of the newly refitted Rainbow and the veteran Velsheda in every case – to make a transparent declaration of intent.

“It was gentle on the market right this moment however there have been two correct races and the race committee did a fantastic job in getting us away,” mentioned Grant Simmer, strategist on Velsheda. Thus far, so good.

Nevertheless, the untypically overcast skies throughout Wednesday’s opener did show to be one thing of a harbinger for what was to come back.

In the course of the afternoon images of an more and more orange sky over Palma crammed social media, turning darker and browner into the night and in a single day. Welcome to Mallorca’s ‘Martian’ sky, aka ‘calima’ or mud in suspension. Unsurprisingly #SaharanDust was trending, after which falling in giant portions with rain to cowl all beneath in a skinny layer of mud.

Velsheda is made to really feel small crossing Maximus. Picture: Crusing Power/The Superyacht Cup

Mud wrestling

Whereas not a catastrophe the uncommon, although not unknown, deluge inevitably gave all of the Superyacht Cup Palma crews a big chore to finish earlier than racing resumed on the Thursday, when brighter skies and a much bigger breeze greeted the arrival of the total SYC fleet to the motion.

In Class A the 39m cruiser-racer Cervo marked her SYC debut look with a primary race win, albeit benefitting from an early begin penalty given to the mighty 59m ketch Maximus, which dropped her and her 50-strong crew to second simply in entrance of the Hoek Really Classics Vijonara and Atalante.

The Wally 80 Rose maintained her successful methods. Picture: Crusing Power/The Superyacht Cup

Defending SYC title holder Rose maintained her successful methods in Class B, forward of the Nautor Swan pair Umiko and Darkish Horse – who have been solely 51 seconds aside after greater than two and a half hours of racing – with the brand new Y8 Calabash rounding up the group. All change within the J Class although, with Velsheda taking the win in entrance of Rainbow and Svea to depart all the things to play for.

After which got here a second coincidence. Considered one of SYC’s most enduring and endearing options has all the time been the seemingly uber-reliability of the Palma sea breeze, ever-present, built-in, a racing certainty. And in equity to the wind gods, in 2024 the ocean breeze was there. Aboard the digicam RIB we discovered a stable 12-15 knots within the south of the Bay of Palma. Sadly, a northerly Mistral gradient wind, which is extraordinarily uncommon for the time of yr, stopped it going any additional into the bay for the racing fleet.

‘The trio of J Class demonstrated their enduring attraction for sailors and spectators alike’. Picture: Crusing Power/The Superyacht Cup

And so it was for the primary time since Superyacht Cup Palma moved to its now acquainted June schedule 17 years in the past, a day of racing was misplaced.

“We’ve got maybe been very lucky over many, a few years,” mentioned SYC occasion director Kate Branagh. “We’ve needed to shorten a few programs since we moved to June dates again in 2007, however that is the primary time we had a day with out racing outcomes.”

Basic finale

Maybe predictably, basic circumstances returned for the finale of Superyacht Cup Palma 2024, with vivid sunshine and a gentle 10-knot sea breeze serving to to ship a pair of noteworthy outcomes – all set in movement with an uncommon downwind begin.

Beamy! The brand new Y8 Calabash made its racing and SY Cup debut. Picture: Crusing Power/The Superyacht Cup

Firstly, the nimble and well-sailed 24m Wally Rose grew to become the primary profitable SYC title defender since 2002, a tribute to the extent enjoying subject and truthful competitors the regatta relentlessly delivers. Her skipper, the affable and splendidly bearded Ben Potter, commented: “The entire day was magic and we couldn’t have requested for higher circumstances, and the downwind begin was one thing a bit totally different and actually thrilling.

“In fact it was nice to have the ability to defend our title. We knew we had so much to do and the remainder of the fleet didn’t make it simple, however we bought away effectively and it was only a case of constructing up time across the course. We’ll be again on the Superyacht Cup Palma subsequent yr I’m positive – we love the vibe and the organisation, which is nice.”

Secondly, a remarkably shut end noticed the large new Vitters ketch Maximus take the Class A win from Cervo due to a win by a single second within the second and last race, the tie selected countback. Proof for the efficacy of the ORCsy ranking rule doesn’t come a lot stronger than that final result.

Rose’s crew have fun the profitable defence of their Superyacht Cup title. Picture: Crusing Power/The Superyacht Cup

Over the moon

“Everyone seems to be over the moon, it was implausible,” mentioned Maximus’s delighted skipper Lars Loftus. “We had a plan to sail the boat laborious and clear, and we caught to the plan and it paid off. There wasn’t one leg we weren’t pushing and I mentioned to the blokes ‘it isn’t over till it’s over, preserve pushing’, and we did.

“It’s a testomony to the blokes who we introduced on the boat that we now have had the success we now have had – a forged of 1000’s,” he joked in reference to the 15 everlasting and 35 further SYC crew on board. Provided that racing Maximus is akin to having two superyacht sloops bolted collectively, you may see the necessity for the variety of crew.

For the document, Svea recorded her third win to take the J Class in entrance of Velsheda and Rainbow. Degree on factors Velsheda went forward of Rainbow on countback, although the latter’s welcome return to racing after a prolonged layoff was celebrated with the Spirit of the Occasion award.

So ‘sudden’ apart, Superyacht Cup Palma once more confirmed it has the knack of delivering a celebration of sail that house owners, captains and crews simply get pleasure from collaborating in. Perhaps the enduring attraction actually is that straightforward – it’s enjoyable.

For those who loved this….

Yachting World is the world’s main journal for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Each month we now have inspirational adventures and sensible options that can assist you realise your crusing goals.

Construct your information with a subscription delivered to your door. See our newest provides and save no less than 30% off the duvet worth.