Big boats alongside the small One Designs, reunited once again at the 19th edition of PalmaVela
by PalmaVela 18 Apr 2023 10:49 BST
28 April - 7 May 2023
The super-long fleet competing in the last edition of PalmaVela © María Muiña / PalmaVela
The event, organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma is preparing to host a large multitudinous and extremely varied fleet including the big boats as well as smaller One Designs.
"The combined effort of all the club staff, its members and Institutions has meant we can host such a wide-ranging and different fleet."
The first major European event in the international regatta calendar is beginning its countdown. The 19th edition of PalmaVela, which for the third time running will be preceded by the Offshore Race, is preparing to host a multitudinous and extremely varied fleet with boats ranging from 30 metres in length, such as the imposing Wallycento, to the small One Designs that barely measure eight metres. Two extremes existing within the same event organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP).
A spectacular show of big boats on the Bay of Palma
For another year Palma sees the return of the Wally and Maxis from the IMA (International Maxi Association). The 19th edition of Palmavela will once again have the privilege of experiencing some of the largest competitive racing boats in the world. Moreover, the event counts as part of the IMA 2023 Racing Calendar; a classifying regatta for the IMA Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge.
Among the boats registered, David M. Leuschen's Wallycento Galateia, will be back to defend their category title following their sweeping full count of victories in 2022. In 2023 Leuschen's crew will also be facing Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones' Wallycento Magic Carpet 3, Francesco de Santis' Morgana, Nicolás González Cuadrado's Vera, Benjamin Potter's S/Y Rose and Romain Mouchel's Atalante.
"It is a real pleasure to once again be hosting the big boat fleet. We are also extremely grateful because the sailing calendar is a busy one, and it can be complicated to organize a team with over 30 crew members, such as is the case for Magic Carpet and Galateia for example", explains Vivi Mainemare, Sporting coordinator for the RCNP.
The big boat fleet will begin racing on Thursday 4th May from 13.30h onwards, and if conditions permit, the Racing Committee aims to complete up to six races, including a minimum of two coastal races.
One Designs: J80s, Dragons and the début of the 6-Metres
For another consecutive year, the Real Club Náutico de Palma's event is sticking firmly to its vocation as a multi-class regatta, and alongside the big boats the smaller One Designs measuring between eight and eleven metres will also be present: the J80s, 6-Metres and Dragons.
"At an organizational level, it is the combined effort of all the club staff, members and Institutions which has meant we can host such a wide-ranging fleet including the big boats and the One Designs, all with their own areas. The transformation of a club such as the RCNP, enables us to host so many boats of so many different types," explained Mainemare.
Divided into three classes, there will be a total of 23 One Designs competing in real time for the prestigious Baleares regatta title. Both the J80 class and the Dragons are now veteran divisions in the event, whilst the 6 Metre boats will be making their début appearance in the PalmaVela. It is their third competition at the RCNP following the Copa del Rye MAPFRE in 2018, and the recent Trofeo Princesa Sofía.
The One Design Racing programme includes a total of nine windward-leeward races, divided over three days of racing, and begins on Friday 5th May at 13.00h.
Find out more at www.palmavela.com