Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD
Product Feature
Gul Gamma Taped Spray Top
Gul Gamma Taped Spray Top

Superyacht Cup Palma hits its stride with full fleet in action

by Daphne Morgan Barnicoat 30 Jun 2022 20:54 BST 29 June - 2 July 2022

The entire Superyacht Cup fleet made the Bay of Palma their arena today as Europe's longest-running superyacht regatta hit its stride with another day of sparkling Mallorcan sailing conditions.

Pantaenius Race Day saw slightly lighter breeze than Wednesday's opening races for the J Class, but the 11-strong fleet showed their mettle in a hard-fought three hours-plus coastal race, with the outcome of the three class contests in doubt until the final legs on each course.

The four superb J Class yachts got the party started with their own fleet start. From the off decisions were split, with Velsheda making a bold call to head right while Svea, Topaz and Ranger headed up the left-hand side of the course.

On this occasion fortune did not favour the brave, and Velsheda's course to Palmanova on the western side of the Bay of Palma did not pay off, with the other J Class contenders leading by a considerable margin at the first mark.

Meanwhile the elegant 27m modern classic Savannah led the rest of the Superyacht Cup fleet away, the first in a series of staggered starts which soon filled the bay with a diverse cross-section of impressive superyachts.

Racing in Class B the Pedrick-designed Savannah had her work cut out to match the pace of the 46m Ganesha, the powerful Oyster 1225 Archelon and bluewater cruiser La Belle, but she made the most of her handicap rating to take the class win.

"The committee sent us on a great course, and there were some pockets of really good breeze so you had to choose your course carefully," said Savannah's owner Hugh Morrison. "Luckily we got some of those right so it was a good day."

Looking ahead to the next two days of racing he added: "There's some fantastic competition out there and some outstanding sailors on amazing machines, and they sail differently in different conditions. The conditions are expected to be stronger tomorrow so we will just try to hang on to their coattails and do the best we can."

Class A saw a tussle for supremacy between the 32m Farr-designed carbon flyer Kiboko 3 and the similarly high-performance 33m sloop Pattoo, with both making a striking impression as they raced on a leg up the eastern side of the bay framed by the rugged coastal cliffs at Badia Gran. At the finish it was Kiboko that edged the contest.

Owner and helm Juan Entrecanales said: "We are of course happy with the result today, the conditions were good, though we made a late start we were able to keep on going."

Asked about the origin of her name - Kiboko is Swahili for hippopotamus - he added: "The boat was built in Cape Town, and I wanted to reflect her African heritage. A hippo is fast - fat yes, but fast as well, and the name sounds good."

In the J Class the leading trio were locked together around the course, with none able to make a decisive break away. Svea claimed the on the water win and was able to preserve the top spot once the handicap was applied, closing the gap at the top of the overall table to one point behind Topaz, who were runner-up. Ranger claimed third with Velsheda unable to close the gap for her first leg deficit.

Back ashore after racing SYC's host, the Real Club Náutico de Palma, turned on the style once again with the celebratory North Sails & Southern Spars happy hour on the RCNP terrace together with the prize-giving.

Racing continues on Friday with New Zealand Race Day before Saturday's concluding St. Regis Race Day - supported by SYC's Preferred Hotel Partner the St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort - completes the Superyacht Cup Palma.

Pantaenius Race Day Results:

Class A
1) Kiboko Tres
2) Pattoo
3) Rose

Class B
1) Savannah
2) Ganesha
3) Archelon

J Class
1) Svea
2) Topaz
3) Ranger

Related Articles

Superyacht Cup Palma 2023 open for business!
Entries have opened and the Notice of Race is now available Entries have opened for Superyacht Cup Palma, the highlight of the Mediterranean superyacht calendar, with the Notice of Race now available for the 21-24 June celebration of sail. Posted on 25 Jan
Ganesha wins Superyacht Cup Palma 2022
By the narrowest possible margin In a testing final day amid challenging conditions the ultimate outcome of the 2022 Superyacht Cup Palma could not possibly have been closer. Posted on 2 Jul 2022
Nail-biting day at Superyacht Cup Palma
Setting the scene for a dramatic finale Some big changes in fortune, along with a change in wind direction and the closest possible finish in one class, saw results in the Superyacht Cup Palma fleet set the scene for a dramatic finale after a day of frenetic activity out on the Bay of Palma. Posted on 1 Jul 2022
J Class open Superyacht Cup Palma 2022
Svea and Topaz take race wins, Ranger and Velsheda keep the pressure on Superyacht Cup Palma 2022 got off to a flying start today with a quartet of J Class yachts conducting a superb symphony of sail racing out on the Bay of Palma to launch the latest edition of Europe's longest-running superyacht regatta. Posted on 29 Jun 2022
All systems go for Superyacht Cup Palma 2022
Crews begin to assemble ahead of the racing The time has come and it is all systems go for the start of Superyacht Cup Palma 2022, with a diverse selection of some of the planet's most inspiring superyachts preparing to put on a show at the home of Mediterranean superyachting. Posted on 23 Jun 2022
Superyacht Cup Palma 2022 preview
Old friends and new entries will share the spotlight in the mid-summer festival of sail Superyacht Cup Palma 2022 is getting ready to greet new entries and familiar faces to the mid-summer festival of sail, as well as celebrating the welcome return of long-standing Preferred Hotel Partner, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Posted on 9 Apr 2022
Superyacht Cup Palma 2022 starts to take shape
Numerous prospective entries from both newcomers and SYC regulars have been received Just a few weeks into the new year and plans for the highlight of the Mediterranean superyacht season - Superyacht Cup Palma 2022 - are already well advanced. Posted on 26 Jan 2022
J Class choose the Superyacht Cup Palma
Class Association and owners unanimously chose the high-profile festival The J Class Association and owners unanimously chose the high-profile Mallorcan festival of sail as one of three events planned for their racing season next year, and a trio of the magnificent vessels are already confirmed entries. Posted on 12 Nov 2021
Ravenger wins Superyacht Cup Palma
Dramatic debut performance at 25th anniversary event A final day of sublime sailing conditions brought the Superyacht Cup Palma's landmark 25th anniversary regatta to a close on Saturday with a first time entrant stealing the headlines. Posted on 26 Jun 2021
Superyacht Cup Palma day 2
Great sailing brings big smiles Brilliant conditions again provided the perfect arena for the second day of Superyacht Cup Palma, allowing some of the fleet to consolidate their position, some to improve, and all to revel in the great sailing on offer. Posted on 26 Jun 2021