Velsheda takes dramatic overall victory in a close finish at The Superyacht Cup Palma

Velsheda stormed around the course to take the overall Superyacht Cup trophy - credit Claire Matches

A dramatic day on Palma Bay saw the final outcome of the 22nd Superyacht Cup hanging in the balance until the final moments of competition.

Once the spray had settled at the end of the deciding St. Regis Mardavall Race the overall trophy went narrowly but deservedly to the famous J Class yacht Velsheda after an inspiring performance over the three days of Europe’s largest and longest-running superyacht regatta.

The venerable Velsheda, built in 1933 and since lovingly restored and regularly optimised, took two wins from three races in Class B to finish level on overall points with the superketch Mari-Cha III, taking the class and the overall Superyacht Cup title on countback. Another well sailed ketch Sojana finished third overall.

“To be in the mix with all the guys in Class B and to able to hold our own was delightful, then to come out top overall is completely amazing,” said Lars Loftus, Velsheda owner’s representative. “It should be close racing and it was a tie with Mari-Cha before we got them on countback, but we will take it.

“To be able to come here and race against such a diverse fleet is really a hats’ off to the ORCsy rating, the way that they take the information that we give them and how they rate us shows that they are paying attention.

“This is a brilliant regatta and the social side is a great complement to what we do out on the water. A lot of the guys have been sailing on Velsheda for many years, so to come here and take the old girl out on the water and get a win is simply fantastic.

“An event like this, with the atmosphere and all the different classes, is really conducive to getting the owners involved and getting them out on the water and racing these boats. They have obviously got a passion for sailing, they are committed to it, and to be able to come out and do it in an arena like this is brilliant for them.”

Win Win lived up to her name with victory in a tightly contested Class A - credit Claire Matches

Another dazzling day out on the water in the spectacular conditions so often delivered on Palma Bay saw other class results and individual rivalries settled in the friendly competition that is such a hallmark of The Superyacht Cup.

Win Win repeated her Class A winning performance of last year – which itself followed an overall Superyacht Cup win in 2016 – after holding off strong challenges from both Saudade and Highland Fling 15.

Going into the finale with all three boats tied on points, the closest Class A race of the regatta saw Win Win eke out a narrow advantage to take the victory, immaculate boat handling and crisp manoeuvres perhaps the deciding factor. Saudade finished second overall with Highland Fling third.

Silencio took a race win on her way to victory in Class C - credit Claire Matches

Bolero won the final race in Class C, but Silencio’s second place to add to her earlier first and second saw her take the overall class win ahead of Bolero and Athos.

While the Corinthian Class D – making its first appearance at the regatta – were not in contention for the overall Superyacht Cup trophy, the two yachts involved raced hard, with Q taking the win ahead of Scorpione of London.

Moreover, the skipper of Scorpione of London reckons the more relaxed non-spinnaker category has a big part to play in the future of the event.

“The Corinthian Class is a nice idea to bring new owners into this event. It is a great entry level and if we can develop the Corinthian concept it will build the regatta for years to come,” said Clive Walker.

Event director Kate Branagh summed up the 2018 Superyacht Cup, saying: “Palma Bay delivered again as always, with some fantastic close racing across a range of classes, followed by relaxed and friendly times ashore.

“The owners and crews have had a memorable time and we look forward to welcoming many of them back again next year to the 23rd Superyacht Cup.”

Q wins first ever Superyacht Cup Palma Corinthian Class contest - credit Claire Matches

Bigger breeze brings Palma Bay alive as The Superyacht Cup anticipates final day decider

Biggest boat in the fleet, Athos, made the most of the big breeze to win her Class - credit Claire Matches

The Superyacht Cup Palma fleet returned to action today with an added ingredient – a shot of extra breeze which set Palma Bay alive.

Any early concerns over the wind evaporated as Palma’s ever reliable sea breeze kicked in to send the 16-strong fleet off to a flying start in a steady 10 to 15 knots.

The extra five knots of wind around the course added spice to an already indulgent feast of sailing, with the battle lines now firmly established on the route to deciding the contenders for winner of Europe’s largest and longest-running superyacht regatta.

That said, the close contest in Class A saw all three hard-charging boats in lockstep around the course. With the final results the exact opposite of yesterday – Win Win first today ahead of Saudade and Highland Fling – each yacht sits on four points with all to play for in tomorrow’s decider.

“The fact we are all tied on points shows that it is pretty close racing,” said Win Win’s skipper Ryan Taylor. “We were expecting it though, it is always tight racing with these guys, always a challenge.”
As former winners of The Superyacht Cup and class winners last year, the Win Win crew will be aiming for another strong result. Taylor added: “We are based here, so The Superyacht Cup Palma is a pretty special event for us.”

Mari Cha III, 21-years-old and still a stunning super-maxi - credit Claire Matches

In the diverse and competitive Class B, the largest class at the regatta, Mari-Cha III emerged the winner ahead of Sojana with Ganesha in third place.

After a second place yesterday the 45m super-ketch is poised ahead of the final day said race skipper Mike Sanderson, still buzzing after an exhilarating day on the water.

“It was amazing and Palma Bay turned it on once again – it is a very special place to sail,” he said.

“We had a reaching superyacht course and beautiful conditions. It was one of those days that was spectacular to watch as well, even from where we were sitting. If we have a good day tomorrow we are well placed – so fingers crossed.”

Velsheda second only to Mari Cha III in Class B - credit Claire Matches

Between the J Class rivals in Class B, the day went again to Velsheda, who finished fourth in the class, with Svea fifth just 14 seconds in arrears on corrected time.

Overall, Mari-Cha III leads Class B on three points, Velsheda is second with five, and Sojana third with seven.

In Class C, the majestic 56m Athos made the most of the bigger breeze to win the day. However, Silencio added a second place to her first day victory to lead overall from Athos and Bolero.

And it was a case of trading places in the two-boat Corinthian Class D, Q taking the win today ahead yesterday’s winner Scorpione of London – as in Class A the two are dead level on points and anticipating tomorrow’s winner-takes-all finale.

Once ashore owners, skippers and crews enjoyed the Southern Spars Happy Hour and expended any remaining competitive energy in the Pendennis Paddle Board Challenge, which was followed by the invitation-only Owners’ Mid-Summer Barbeque at The St. Regis Mardavall, one of The Superyacht Cup Palma’s main partners.

Racing at The Superyacht Cup Palma continues tomorrow with the final day of racing.

Team Athos dominated Pendennis Paddleboard Challenge - credit Claire Matches

The Superyacht Cup gets the party started as the full fleet goes into action

Highland Fling proves herself as a lightweight flyer - credit Claire Matches

The Superyacht Cup Palma got into full flow today as the Pantaenius Race heralded the start of fleet racing with a course around a sun-soaked Palma Bay.

Following a spectacular curtain raiser to Europe’s largest and longest-running superyacht regatta with the J Class yachts Svea and Velsheda in what amounted to match racing action yesterday, the entire 16-strong Superyacht Cup fleet took to the water.

Class winners last year and Superyacht Cup victors in 2016, Win Win got the party started, crossing the line bang on her allocated 1300 timeslot as part of a staggered starting sequence, heading out to the left-hand side of the course. The rest of the superyacht fraternity followed suit, starting at two-minute intervals in a light but steady breeze.

Velsheda takes another win against Svea in the J-Class needle-match, but also wins Class B - credit Claire Matches

Saudade was next up, opting for the right side to the first windward mark, with Highland Fling following in Win Win’s wake to complete the Class A contingent.

Bliss was the first of the seven-strong Class B – the largest at the regatta – to start racing, swiftly followed by the J Class twosome, uniquely starting together to maintain their race-within-a-race wrangle.

Class C and then the Corinthian Class D duo of Q and Scorpione of London joined the action, all heading for the first mark of the course, Silver Fern, so named in recognition of 100% New Zealand’s support for the Superyacht Cup.

While the staggered starts might eliminate the drama of a crowded start line, it does nothing to detract from the intensity and focus of the racing, with all the crews aiming to wring every ounce of performance from their yachts.

The ORCsy handicapping system aims to smooth out differences in size and design. So it proved in Class A with Highland Fling demonstrating her racing pedigree to win by almost a minute and a half on corrected time ahead of Saudade after two and a half hours of racing, with Win Win only 23 seconds further back.

“It was fantastic out there today, great conditions here in Palma with a nice nine to 12 knots sea breeze, and quite challenging at times,” said Cameron Appleton, Highland Fling’s tactician.
“I like this place it’s really special, the unique geography puts a bend in the wind you have to get right every time. We were fortunate to get past the right boat at the right time and pull away on the last leg to take first in our class. Timing was everything.

“The first race is always pretty key. We expect conditions to be similar tomorrow so we know what we have to do. Anything is possible.”

Closest contest of the day and a Class win for Silencio, a newcomer to the Superyacht Cup - credit Claire Matches

Closest contest though came in Class C, with Silencio getting the better of Bolero by just 12 seconds with Aquarius third.

“We actually thought we had lost it by 15 seconds, which was our guess,” said a delighted Ed Danby, helm on Silencio.

“We had a cracking last run coming in and got two really favourable shifts which helped a lot. We have got a great bunch of guys on the boat, and the owner’s wife and his children helping pull the spinnakers down, and that’s what it is all about.”

Scorpione of London cruised to victory in Class - credit Claire Matches

Scorpione of London took Corinthian Class D honours ahead of Q, while Velsheda not only got the better of Svea but also took the win in Class B ahead of Mari-Cha III in second, pipping Svea by just 28 seconds on corrected time.

“We got our start right, taking the right-hand side of the first beat,” said Velsheda tactician Tom Dodson.

“We weren’t a 100 per cent sure about it but we were pretty sure that side would work out, and then we saw a couple of the locals going that way, so we felt pretty good about that.

“I don’t expect any more races like that to be honest, our performances with Svea are pretty much identical. We are now racing the general fleet and not just Svea – we quite like the ORCsy format and the boats we are racing are all well sailed, and Svea is certainly one of those.”

After racing competitors celebrated a great day on the water and enjoyed the North Sails Happy Hour followed by the Paella Dock Party at Jack’s Club by St Regis.

Racing at The Superyacht Cup Palma continues tomorrow and Saturday.

J Class duo put on a spectacular show to launch The Superyacht Cup Palma

It was one race apiece on the opening day for the J Class with Velsheda taking the win in the second race - credit Claire Matches

As a curtain raiser to the 22nd Superyacht Cup it does not get much better than the sight of two of the superb J Class yachts strutting their stuff out on the vibrant blue waters of Palma Bay.

The opening races of the Mediterranean’s largest and longest running superyacht festival pitched Velsheda and Svea head to head against each other, a vivid reminder perhaps of the class’s distinguished match racing heritage.

The contest, which set the scene for a further three days of full-on Superyacht Cup fleet action, saw near ideal wind conditions under blue skies, only punctuated by the white clouds over Mallorca’s mountain backdrop.

And as perhaps an indicator of the open, even handed racing that lies ahead, the day finished honours’ even with each boat putting a victory on the board.

Svea on her way to a win - credit Claire Matches

“The Superyacht Cup could hardly have got off to a better start with Palma delivering the conditions it is renowned for and both our J Class stars taking a win each to launch the regatta,” said Event Director Kate Branagh.

“The whole fleet will be out in force tomorrow for three days of racing, followed by some equally enjoyable socialising and catching-up on shore.”

The fact that two yachts representing the full diversity of the J Class – from refitted original vessels like the 1933-built Velsheda to the new generation represented by Svea – can race and win is testimony to the sophisticated handicapping system used by the J Class Association, which was used in the opening act.

Powering downwind in perfect conditions - credit Claire Matches 

Race one saw the two yachts dramatically split tacks from the start, with Svea’s choice of the right side of the course paying off with a 30 second lead at the gate at the top of the course. It was an advantage they were able to maintain to the finish.

The tables were turned in the second contest, with Velsheda leading the way from the start and holding her advantage with some no doubt match racing inspired covering tactics both upwind and down on both circuits.

“We had a good tussle with Svea in both races,” said Velsheda’s tactician Tom Dodson. “They showed really good speed in the first race to cross ahead on the first beat. In the second it all worked for us, we got the cross and hung on.
“Both boats are owner-driver and sailed to such a high standard – if we get everything right we can still win races against the newer boats.”

And he added: “Palma and the Superyacht Cup is special – flat water is a big deal with steady, consistent wind. The atmosphere around the dock is also fantastic.”

It is a view fully shared by Svea’s tactician Charlie Ogletree: “Palma Bay is amazing, a fantastic background and great conditions with 10 to 14 knots of wind, with a few shifts around to be able to play the game.

“We are new and only just starting our second year of sailing, while Velsheda is a bit of a benchmark in the class and we all aspire to compete against them. It was match racing, though we backed off a little of course, the last thing we want is a collision, but we push it as hard as we can while staying safe.”

The friendly rivalry will be continued for the remainder of the Superyacht Cup, with Svea and Velsheda starting together as part of the timed starting sequence used by the whole fleet.

Racing continues until June 23rd, alongside a full social programme in the Superyacht Cup event village.

Last word to Charlie Ogletree: “We are looking forward to the rest of the week – it is going to be fun.”

All hands on deck on board Velsheda - credit Claire Matches 

Waiting is almost over as final countdown begins to start of The Superyacht Cup Palma

Final preparations are being made as the clock counts down towards the start of the 22nd Superyacht Cup with many of the world’s most impressive sailing vessels now gathering in Palma, Mallorca.

With racing set to begin in just a few days’ time on 20 June, yachts from all corners of the globe have responded to the enduring allure of Europe’s longest running and largest superyacht regatta.
Some – like Bolero, Bliss and Athos – have returned from the far reaches of Asia and the Pacific, with many others including Missy, Velsheda and Svea arriving from the Caribbean.

The already impressive fleet has been further boosted with the recent addition of the impressive 50m ketch Silencio. With performance to match her good looks, Silencio has shown previous regatta form in winning both the 2013 Perini Cup and 2015 Millennium Cup, so will be one to watch once racing gets underway. Launched by Perini Navi in 2001, Silencio (ex-Perseus) was extensively refitted in 2012.

With so many yachts returning to the Mediterranean for the Superyacht Cup, Palma has been delivering on its global reputation as the go-to place for outstanding maintenance, refit and repair facilities.

“The sense of excitement around Palma is growing with every passing day as the start of the Superyacht Cup gets closer,” said Event Manager Kate Branagh.

“We are ready and waiting to put on one of the greatest sailing shows on Earth, and I am sure all the owners, skippers and crews, some of whom have travelled long distances to be here, will have a wonderful time.”

Meanwhile, organisers have confirmed that the Superyacht Cup will this year include a Corinthian class, which will allow owners to share the thrills of racing without a spinnaker and with a smaller crew.

Q will be joining the Corinthian Class, image provided by Michael Kurtz, Pantaenius

Entries into this only slightly more relaxed category will include the 52m long-distance cruising ketch Q, and the elegant 46m sloop Scorpione of London, one of two yachts in the fleet from Baltic Yachts, a Superyacht Cup Gold Partner.

Confirming the Superyacht Cup’s international reach, the event’s Preferred Hotel Partner, The St. Regis Mardavall, has expanded its involvement to their global brand which encompasses more than 60 hotels worldwide. St. Regis will host the Paella Dock Party at Jack’s Club at the heart of the race village on Thursday 21 June and the Owners Mid-Summer Barbecue on the Friday.

St. Regis joins the Superyacht Cup’s Destination Partner 100% Pure New Zealand – which is hosting the Welcome Cocktail Party on Wednesday 20 June – in taking full advantage of the high-level promotional opportunity.

As part of the relaxed and entertaining shore side social programme running through all four days of the Superyacht Cup, event Gold Partners Pendennis will again be running their highly competitive Pendennis Paddleboard Challenge on Friday 22 June.

Yachts can continue their friendly rivalry out on the race course by entering one or more teams of four paddleboarders for a relay race off the Palma dockside!

The full programme of racing and shore events, along with the entry list and other information can be seen at http://www.thesuperyachtcup.com/index.php The Sailing Instructions can be found at http://www.thesuperyachtcup.com/sailingdocs.php