The Superyacht Cup Palma - Day 2
by The Superyacht Cup 24 Jun 2016 22:58 BST
22-26 June 2016
More spectacular sailing
The Superyacht Cup's social scene, known to rival the insane on-the-water action, has already lived up to its reputation as last night's après-race partying went on long after the sails had been packed away. Apart from a lively atmosphere and full dance floor, this year's '20 Years of Rock' theme showed some sailors' hidden talents of playing air guitar and being able to rock back-combed hair, especially team Tenaz made a fantastic effort. Furthermore, yesterday's shindig saw sailors involved in cheerful banter and enjoy what was probably the world's largest paella, to the soundtrack of Mama Kin's retro tunes. Apart from a great ending to a beautiful first day of racing, legendary memories have been made of another epic Superyacht Cup party.
The day dawned with clear blue skies and what promised to be another sun drenched day and saw the Regatta Village bustling bright and early with the owners, crew, friends, and guests of this year's 22 spectacular superyachts, spiritedly discussing today's tactics and keen to get their sail-hungry boats back out unto the bay.
Today's custom courses for Classes A, B and C, D were spread over 21.1 and 14.3 nm respectively and took advantage of today's conditions which had been predicted to be similar to yesterday's, with the sea breeze in the lower numbers, around 8 - 11 knots. Racing was scheduled to get underway at 13.00 and it was, again, the Farr designed 32m Sea Wave that crossed the line first, followed by the 45m Mari Cha III and the fiercely green-hulled 33m Inouï. New standards were being set at the start line with boats crossing one to three seconds off the gun. The aforementioned Inouï had a flyer, crossing the line at full pelt, bang on start time.
The first mark saw the 32m Southern Wind Sea Wave round ahead of the fleet, chased by yesterday's Class A victor, the Baltic built Win Win and the exciting Vitters built Inouï. Although Sea Wave continued to lead and hit the second mark first, she was under pressure from the highly competitive Win Win who rounded 37 seconds later. Shortly afterwards, this light-weight racer managed to reel in Sea Wave and started to pull out a big lead rounding first the fourth and then the fifth mark first. She continued to smoke it and crossed the finish line first in Class A, eight minutes and 53 seconds ahead of the Vitters built 45m Unfurled on corrected time.
Class C saw some nail-bitingly close action with five boats (Stay Calm, Heartbeat, Firebird, Kiboko Dos and Tempus Fugit) rounding the first mark within one minute and nine seconds between each other. Incredible. It was however the 28m Southern Wind Kiboko Dos who snuck past her class competitors and screamed around the course leaving the 24m Swan Stay Calm fiercely trying to hunt her down. Kiboko Dos' sharp maneuvers and serious sailing secured the crew with a first bullet in Class C. A grinning Raimon Pascó, captain on board Kiboko Dos commented: "We had the same good feeling as we had with the boat yesterday, but today we're happier, obviously. I think the circuit was better and more interesting for us with more beats and downwinds than the day before. We did some good maneuvers this afternoon, the boat performed fantastically and the crew is great, so 'Todo Bien'."
In Class B Perini Navi rocket P2 proved she was here again on her A game as she edged out the 35m Sojana hitting the third mark two minutes and 55 seconds before her. She continued to storm ahead towards the fourth mark with Sojana in hot pursuit and rounded two minutes and 14 seconds ahead of her. Clearly in gear today she also powered around the fifth, Bahia 1, mark and finished first, three minutes and 26 seconds in front of runner up Ganesha.
In Class D the classic two-masted gaff schooner Mariette of 1915 put in another peak performance leading both the 42m first-timer Naema and the 60m stunningly elegant Germania Nova around the race course. She finished nine minutes and 42 seconds ahead of the classically elegant 42m gaff schooner Naema on corrected time.
P2 and Win Win, in Class A and B respectively, go into the final race with a lead of three points. In Class C Tempus Fugit holds the trump card, but with only 1 point separating this tenacious team from the 28m Kiboko Dos. In Class D two points separate Mariette of 1915 from second placed Naema.
After racing, crew made a post debrief lay line for the Regatta Bar sponsored by Southern Spars or indeed continued battle back in port through paddle power, as especially for this year's 20th event, premium partners Pendennis are hosting a relay paddle board race as part of the shore side entertainment. Fancy dress encouraged!
Yacht owners and their guests were brought to the exclusive St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort to enjoy a delicious dinner, celebratory drinks, and great atmosphere. All traveled in style by Transfer Class, the leading company in vehicle rental, as well as the top provider of limousines and buses in the premium segment. With one group of guests on the South-West coast of the island and all other sailors in Superyacht Cup central, we're certain in both spots all talk will feature tomorrow's final day of sailing, as everything will come to the clinch in Saturday's ultimate showdown.
Racing is set to continue tomorrow with the first starting signal scheduled for 13.00 and coastal courses on the cards for all classes.
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