Please select your home edition
Edition
Crewsaver 2021 Safetyline LEADERBOARD

38th Oyster Regatta at Real Club Nautico de Palma - Overall

by Sue Pelling 11 Oct 2016 06:23 BST 4-8 October 2016

Participants were treated to spectacular conditions on the final day of the Oyster Regatta Palma 2016 sponsored by Pelagos Yachts.

Although winds reached no more than 11 kts throughout the day, it was more consistent than it had been all week, and the 37 teams competing in this 38th annual regatta, were treated to exciting racing that resulted in some extremely close finishes in the overall standings.

The huge, record-breaking fleet of Oysters ranging from 46ft family yachts to sparkling new professionally-led 885s, powering downwind towards the leeward mark under spinnaker, was a sight to behold and the perfect end to what has been, arguably, the most successful regatta to date.

One of the closest finishes was in Class 1 between Firebird – Oyster 885-07 – Firebird (Ocean Limited) and Maxim Kudryashov's Guardian Angel – Oyster 885-04. The team on Guardian Angel however, had their work cut out to retain a top position in the final race after they ripped their spinnaker. They had to sail the last downwind leg without spinnaker, which meant Firebird beat them by seven seconds. This last minute place change put Firebird ahead of Eddie Jordan's Lush – Oyster 885-01 (IRE) in the overall standings, while Guardian Angel took the overall win.

The grand awards ceremony at the Palacio de Congresos, one of Palma's landmark 20th century Spanish architectural buildings, gave crews, guests and VIPs a chance to enjoy the final lavish evening of Oyster hospitality and share their regatta experiences.

Vladimir Baksheev and his team on Lady Mariposa – Oyster 625-05, received plenty of applause for their impressive performance in Class 2 this week, which included two firsts and a second place. Their final race win yesterday was enough to clinch the top spot overall from Richard Smith's British Sotto Vento – Oyster 655-07.

Racing in this 10-strong class yesterday was extremely close with Cascina Int Ltd's iSNL – Oyster 655-11 (FIN) only one point ahead of David & Joanna's Vamos – Oyster 625-06 in 3rd place.

The Swedish husband and wife team – Eric and Ann Alfredson, and friends Lars and Birgitta on Lisanne – Oyster 575-29, in Class 3 were always in contention this week with their three firsts and a second.

Commenting on the regatta, Alfredson said: "We are really happy about our win, this is the first time in our new boat. We had good crew work and the ambience on board was fantastic. I think that helped a lot. As far as tuning the boat goes, we haven't done anything, it is just a standard model."

Another really well sailed boat was Ostra – Oyster 53-23 (GBR) crewed by Ritchie Gatt and friends in Class 4. This team, who are using the regatta to 'iron out any creases' before the start of the ARC next month managed to keep the ever-threatening Peter Blackmore and team on Pied Piper – Oyster 49-12A (GBR) at bay. Although Team Pied Piper won the final race from Hugh Johnson on Nikitoo II – Oyster 54-19 (GBR), by just over a minute, Ostra sneaked ahead on the overall scoreboard by 1.25pts.

In his rounding up of the event, David Tydeman (Oyster Group CEO – Event Chairman-Race Officer) said the regatta has beaten all expectations: "It really has been one of the best regattas to date and we seemed to have achieved what we set out to do, in terms of attracting not only a large fleet but also a diverse fleet. From newcomers to sailing-those who've never raced before, to a selection of professional teams, this regatta has never been more accessible and we hope to welcome even more new Oyster owners to our next event."

See the Overall Results here.

The next Oyster Regatta will be held in the BVIs on 10th – 15th April 2017. Find out more here.

Related Articles

Ashley Highfield to Step Down as Oyster Yachts CEO
He will leave the business in autumn this year after handing over to the new CEO Oyster Yachts has announced Ashley Highfield is to stand down as CEO after seven years with the company, firstly as Executive Chairman and more recently as CEO. Posted on 12 Jun
Oyster Yachts announces the Oyster 805
A superyacht inspired bluewater cruiser Oyster Yachts has announced the latest addition to their fleet, the Oyster 805. Posted on 2 May
Oyster World Rally 2028-29 update
Limited places remain on once-in-a-lifetime sailing adventure Following unprecedented demand, Oyster Yachts confirms only final places remain on their fully-supported luxury world sailing adventure, the Oyster World Rally 2028-29. Posted on 31 Jan
Oyster World Rally fleet reach South Africa
The fleet docks into Cape Town's V&A Waterfront Oyster Yachts, a luxury British bluewater yacht builder and pioneer of fully-supported luxury sailing adventures, welcomes the arrival of the Oyster World Rally 2024-25 fleet into Cape Town's V&A Waterfront, South Africa. Posted on 13 Dec 2024
Maritimo 100
Combining the pedigrees of Oyster and Bill Barry-Cotter to create a racing yacht The 30.40m Oyster superyacht 'Maritimo 100' is now in the final stages of preparation, following the delivery from Newport, Rhode Island. Posted on 5 Nov 2024
Oyster Yachts Regatta at Palma
Returning to the Mediterranean waters of Mallorca for the 17th time Oyster Yachts, a luxury British bluewater sailing yacht builder, returned to the Mediterranean waters of Palma de Mallorca last week for their 47th Oyster Regatta, the 17th held on the island. Posted on 3 Oct 2024
smartlink ee Hits 20 Tonnes
Superyacht captains and owners are taking every measure possible to ensure safety Superyacht captains and owners are taking every measure possible to ensure safety, and monitoring technologies are the easiest, most reliable way to do this. Posted on 25 Sep 2024
World cruising Oysters choose Rivergate stopover
Two of the Oyster World Rally fleet recently berthed to undertake hardstand work Two of the Oyster World Rally fleet recently berthed at Rivergate Marina & Shipyard to undertake hardstand work. Satori II and Babiana are Oyster 885 Series II yachts taking part in the epic Oyster World Rally which set sail from Antigua in the Caribbean. Posted on 20 Sep 2024
Oyster World Rally 2028-29 entries open
Overwhelming Demand for Luxury Adventure on the High Seas Oyster Yachts, thoroughbred British luxury yacht builder and pioneer of fully supported luxury long-haul sailing adventures, announces the opening of entries for the Oyster World Rally 2028-29 to unprecedented demand. Posted on 19 Jun 2024
Oyster Yachts triumph in Round The Island Race
Owner-skippered Oyster 595 XoXo winning the Silver Gilt Roman Bowl and Salver for ISCRS overall Luxury British yacht builder, Oyster Yachts, proudly sailed to victory over the weekend at this year's Round the Island Race, with owner-skippered Oyster 595 XoXo winning the Silver Gilt Roman Bowl and Salver for ISCRS overall against over 400 boats. Posted on 17 Jun 2024