The Superyacht Cup, firm favourite with owners and sailors alike, has not only become the second-biggest event on the superyacht sailing calendar, but is also the longest running regatta of its kind in Europe. An exhilarating four-day event which perfectly mixes fun times with fierce racing in the Mediterranean’s most popular superyacht haunt, pretty Palma de Mallorca. An island known not only for its sun-drenched days but also for its beautiful bay, which because of its particular shape delivers a blissfully consistent sea breeze. Saudade’s tacticien, Volvo Ocean Race veteran, Bouwe Bekking agrees: “We’re happy how we sailed and of course the event is very nice and I think the owner will be back next year as well. Sailing-wise Palma is one of the best places in the world and very well served for superyachts.”
This extra special 20th Superyacht Cup came to a truly spectacular close yesterday afternoon, with a jubilant crowd cheering on the grinning sailors of the nine winning teams who took it in turns to storm the Superyacht Cup stage. After three days of hair-raising action it was the 33m Baltic built Win Win who claimed overall victory this year. An ecstatic Clive Walker, captain on board this carbon rocket, commented: “I’ve got a huge smile on my face. We’ve been trying to win a regatta ever since we launched the boat two years ago and we’ve finally done it, which is a huge relief. To be part of this team for the last eight years and having won with the old boat (Scorpione dei Mari) as well is incredible, just fantastic. A win-win situation!”
P2, with three bullets to her name, was the undisputed winner in Class B. In classic Class D it was the gleaming Herreshoff designed Mariette of 1915 who, also with a perfect score of three firsts, championed. In Class C the lovely Tempus Fugit proved victorious. No mean feat as she was up against a regular racer: the Vitters built Ganesha, and the ridiculously fast 35m Sojana. This speed balling boat recorded one of the highest speeds over the past few days, a whopping 17.98 knots, -she ended up clinching third. With all 22 competitors divided across four classes, racing was close and saw fast boats fighting tight battles. The ORCsy handicapping rule which was used at The Superyacht Cup again this year, also helped to turn out some of the tightest and most dramatic superyacht racing to date.
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| In classic Class D it was the gleaming Herreshoff designed Mariette who championed. ©www.clairematches.com |
Yesterday’s final race day saw light conditions yet exciting sailing which perfectly rounded off three days of rip-roaring regatta action. Big boat races are close-knit affairs, which bring together the best of the world’s professional sailing talent with experienced enthusiasts. As the sun went down on this 20th edition, hundreds of happy Superyacht Cuppers will have made new friends and will be taking home sunny memories of yet another thrilling and fun-filled event. The 24m petite performer and Claasen built Hearbeat’s owner/tactician enthused: “The spirit is good, I just love it, it’s good racing, tight racing and very well organized. We’re very happy to be here every year. Unfortunately we’ll have to go back to Holland for refit so we won’t be here next year, but in 2018 we’ll be back to have some more fun and try and win again, just as we did in 2013!”
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| The 38m Perini P2 pulled out an undisputed and impressive win in Class B. ©www.clairematches.com |
Although this edition’s line-up saw a number of freshly launched boats and first timers running around the race-course, this year’s fleet was also made up of tried and tested Cup veterans which have been returning to the island year after year for the regatta’s solid sea breeze, relaxed ambiance and social events to match the on-the-water-action. The high performing, award-winning 28m Kiboko Dos for example, she claimed third in Class C, competed for the third consecutive time this year.
Our much talked about party themed ’20 Years of Rock’, showed us a good amount of sailors rock the dance floor as much as they ruled on the race course. Owners and their guests were able to enjoy a thoughtfully prepared three course dinner, at what is, without a doubt, one of the loveliest dinner venues in the Mediterranean: The St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca. Thursday and Friday’s happy hours served up cold drinks to dilute the stress after three riveting hours on the race course and saw everyone from newbie crew to seasoned sailors discuss different takes on the day’s performance. Additionally, oodles of the most talented sailors could be seen chatting at the bar, with a beer in hand and a smile on their faces.
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| In Class C the lovely, modern classic Tempus Fugit proved victorious. ©www.clairematches.com |
We would like to thank all the yachts of this year’s wildly diverse fleet for the past three days of hair raising sailing and of course our sponsors who have each helped make this edition another all-round success. And while we say ‘Hasta Luego’ to another memorable edition of The Superyacht Cup, a regatta where the atmosphere is relaxed, the sailing fast and the dock-side fun a given, we are already looking forward to seeing the world’s most gorgeous yachts take part in our next edition, June 2017. And although this 20th regatta will be a hard act to follow, plenty of competitors have already said they wouldn’t want to miss out on next year’s racing, we’re sure all fans of superyacht sailing will wholeheartedly agree!
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| Highlight of Saturday’s prize giving was of course the announcement of Win Win taking overall victory this year. ©www.clairematches.com |