Borkumriff IV Returning to Palma

Royal Huisman´s Borkumriff IV, Image Roy Roberts

The spectacular schooner Borkumriff IV recently confirmed they will join the impressive line up of yachts for this year's Superyacht Cup in Palma. Designed by Dykstra Naval Architects and built by Royal Huisman, she was launched in 2002 from their yard in Holland. At 51m overall and with a displacement of almost 300 tons, Borkumriff IV is the largest yacht taking part this year.   Her Rondal aluminium plate masts are over 50m tall (166ft) and carry Rondal carbon fiber booms and gaffs, towering over her vast deck. Borkumriff IV last took part in the Superyacht Cup in Palma in 2007 where for the first time she raced against her sister ship Meteor who had been launched just weeks before the historic Superyacht Cup (which incorporated the Millennium Cup),  where an unbeaten record fleet of 52 superyachts raced in the Bay of Palma.

Many of the fleet have undergone refit work over the winter months, Astilleros de Mallorca in Palma have been working with two of the J Class yachts, Velsheda and Ranger.  Velsheda (Dykstra/Camper & Nicholsons) at 38m is the smallest of the J´s, she has been out of the water undergoing keel remodeling and deck structure modification while her rival Ranger 42m (Burgess & Stephens/Dykstra Design/Danish Yachts) has undergone a special survey, shaft overhaul and engine alignment.

Out of the five Js participating in Palma, only Rainbow 40m (Dykstra & Partners/Holland Jachtbouw) has been racing in the Caribbean over the winter, the others have all stayed in Europe.  The competition will be closer than ever this year, everyone looking for improved performance and an edge on their stable mates. The photo below shows the sleek lines of all five J's but the size difference is highlighted from this birds eye view.

Five J Class Yachts at SYC Palma 2013 - Image Jesús Renedo

After the successful 2013-season including her impressive win at the Superyacht Cup, Heartbeat 24m (Hoek/Claasen Shipyard) returned to Royal Huisman´s Huisfit in Vollenhove for an interior and exterior cosmetic upgrade over the winter. The work included the production and installation of various new interior sections to re-locate the aft owner's suite to the fore ship. Additional portholes were installed providing extra daylight in the forward part of the yacht and she will return to Palma to defend her title in June.

 Complete Marine Freight return as the official logistics partner to the Superyacht Cup, providing shipping and storage services for the event and their partners. With a large warehouse close to Palma and office facilities in the STP yard, Complete Marine Freight´s experienced team are a great asset to the regatta as well as providing logistics support to many of the participating yachts in the fleet www.completemarinefreight.com. Complete Marine Freight are also an active supporter of the Superyacht Cup´s official charity, Joves Navegants www.thesuperyachtcup.com/palma/media/official-charity/index.php.  A recent dock party at STP organized by CMF and the crew of the yacht Aglaia raised over €31,000 for three local charities including Joves Navegants. This year's Superyacht Cup is aiming to raise a further €11,000 which will help disadvantaged young people of Mallorca, giving them the opportunity to learn to sail, a life changing experience for many.