Firefly (Photo Courtesy of Superyacht Cup Palma)
Palma, Mallorca 21 June 2012 – The 12-strong fleet at the 2012 Superyacht Cup Palma was graced with clear blue skies and a healthy 15-20 knot breeze today for Race Day 1 of the regatta sponsored by event partner Pantaenius.
The fleet was split into two classes to shorten the start sequence, the 35m Hoek designed Firefly having the best start of the day just 1 second off their allocated start time, crossing the line at full speed.
The two classes separated after the start with Class 1 given a slightly longer course for the faster boats. The fleet merged back together mid race at the most southerly part of the course off Isla de Sech confidently led by the 30m Hoek designed Reesle ahead of the chasing pack Ithaka (27m Jongert), Highland Breeze (34m Frers/ Nautor Swan), Maria Cattiva (40m Bruce King/Royal Huisman) and Atalante (27m Hoek/Claasen Jachtbouw) within a few minutes of each other.
Reesle and Highland Breeze were able to hold their positions to cross the line in first and second place and win their respective classes.
Ashore, celebrations continued well into the evening with well-deserved refreshments against the backdrop of tonight’s ‘Dock Olympics’ themed party and live music.
The weather forecast for tomorrow’s race promises similar conditions with clear skies ahead for the weekend.
Results – Day 1, 21 June 2012
CLASS 1
1. Highland Breeze
2. Ivanka
3. Ganesha
4. Scorpione dei Mare
5. Firefly
6. Saudade
Class 2
1. Reesle
2. This is Us
3. Ithaka
4. Maria Cattiva
5. Atalante
6. Drumfire
Muelle Viejo (Photo courtesy of Superyacht Cup Palma)
About the Superyacht Cup
Now in its 16th year, The Superyacht Cup is the longest running superyacht regatta in Europe and the Mediterranean. The event has become a favourite with owners, friends and captains around the world that visit Palma de Mallorca annually for the 4 day Palma regatta. Famed for its central location and reliable wind conditions in the Bay of Palma, the Superyacht Cup provides an ideal combination of professionally managed racing with a relaxed and fun atmosphere ashore. http://www.thesuperyachtcup.com
The Superyacht Cup Palma (Photo courtesy of Superyacht Cup)
International insurance company Pantaenius has renewed a three year sponsorship agreement with the Superyacht Cup regatta in Palma. The agreement also includes sponsorship of the special Olympics edition of the Superyacht Cup Cowes, UK taking place from 22-25 July, a few days before the start of the London 2012 Olympics. Each regatta will feature a ?Pantaenius Race? with trophies awarded to each division.
“Pantaenius have supported the Superyacht Cup for over 10 years and I am very pleased to continue our sponsorship for another 3 years. The event is extremely valuable to us as we have the opportunity to spend time with our existing customers and meet new clients too. We look forward to the Superyacht Cup 2012 in Palma, and also to the special edition in Cowes UK too!” commented Martin Baum, Managing Director of Pantaenius.
For more information about Pantaenius, visit www.pantaenius.com
Superyacht Cup Palma 2011 Fleet (Photo courtesy of Superyacht Cup)
About the Superyacht Cup
Now in its 16th year, the Superyacht Cup is the longest running superyacht regatta in Europe. Traditionally held in Palma at the end of June to start the Mediterranean season, the regatta is held over 4 days with racing in the spectacular Bay of Palma. As well as competitive racing on the water, the event is as popular for its informal and fun atmosphere ashore with themed dock parties and cocktail receptions. In 2012, organisers will also host a special Olympics edition of the regatta in Cowes, UK from 22-25 July.
For more information visit The Superyacht Cup
Nefertiti during 2011 Superyacht Cup Palma (Photo courtesy of Superyacht Cup)
Adele in Superyacht Cup Palma (Photo Courtesy of SYAdele.com)
Organisers of the Superyacht Cup are preparing for one of their biggest years in 2012 as the entry lists for the popular Palma regatta and the brand new Superyacht Cup Cowes, UK have surged over the last two months.
Currently over 20 superyachts have registered for the special edition of the Superyacht Cup in Cowes, UK from 22-25 July 2012 to take place just a few days before the start of the 2012 London Olympics. Meanwhile, the Palma Superyacht Cup (20-23 June 2012) has already received 15 entries with just 5 spaces left for yachts wanting to moor at the Muelle Viejo dock.
The first ever Superyacht Cup Cowes is gathering momentum and at the current time many of the registered yachts have found suitable moorings in Cowes quite a task when you consider the vast size of some of the participating yachts. The Cowes Harbour Commission have been instrumental in accommodating the needs of the fleet and understanding the importance of the yachts being able to have easy access to Cowes and the Royal Yacht Squadron. “We are used to having large fleets of yachts visiting Cowes at one time but the size and draft requirements of the Superyacht Cup fleet has given us a new challenge” commented Stuart McIntosh, Cowes Habour Master. “But I am pleased to confirm we have so far found berths for all the enquiries, and expect to accommodate many more. We have the option of laying additional moorings and a limited number of berths are still available at various locations in the vicinity of Cowes. It will certainly add to the atmosphere of the event to have the fleet together.”
The Royal Yacht Squadron will be the central base for the regatta with the race office, registration, opening cocktail reception and prize-giving all taking place in the spectacular setting of the club pavilion with views over the Solent. David Aisher, the Rear Commodore Yachting, expressed his support and enthusiasm for the regatta. “We have been delighted with the positive response from both the owners of these magnificent yachts and their captains. 2012 will be an exceptional year for the Club with more than our usual number of spectacular sailing events, such as this one, celebrating both her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee and the Olympics. Seeing the fleet of Superyachts sailing in the Solent really will be an event not to be missed by anyone at all interested in sailing. We look forward, very much, to welcoming all the participants to the Castle in July.”
Confirmed sponsors for both Cowes and Palma Superyacht Cup regattas include Elvström Sails and Pantaenius, whilst the Palma event has confirmed Silver sponsorships from ZIS, McMaster Yachts, Reckmann, Astilleros de Mallorca, Pendennis and the Rolling Stock Group.
Yachts wishing to enter either regatta are encouraged to contact the Superyacht Cup office as soon as possible as places are limited. Contact Kate Branagh kate@thesuperyachtcup.com for more information.
Now in its 16th year, the Superyacht Cup is the longest running superyacht regatta in Europe. Traditionally held in Palma at the end of June to start the Mediterranean season, the regatta is held over 4 days with racing in the spectacular Bay of Palma. As well as competitive racing on the water, the event is as popular for its informal and fun atmosphere ashore with themed dock parties and cocktail receptions.
Highland Fling In Superyacht Cup Palma (Photo by Guido Trombetta)
Marie 55m (Photo courtesy of The Superyacht Cup
Preparations are well underway for the 2011 Superyacht Cup regatta from 22-25 June in Palma. So far, 16 yachts have registered for the event including five brand new entries that have never competed in the event before. Space at the Muelle Viejo only allows for a maximum of 20-22 entries.
Returning to defend their 2010 title is the 29m Tony Castro designed Jongert ‘Scorpione dei Mar’. Other past Cup competitors coming back to Palma in June include Ganesha (39m Dubois), Saudade (45m Tripp), Tenaz (39m Dubois), Drumfire (24m Hoek) and Gliss (35m Phillipe Briand). Gliss won the 2009 Palma Superyacht Cup and returns this year under new ownership.
This year also sees the biggest number of first-time entries to the event. Joining the fleet are two stunning modern classics, the 55m Adela built in 1995 by Pendennis Shipyard, and Marie, a 55m Hoek design launched last year by Vitters Shipyard in Holland. Other newcomers are Genevieve (37m Dubois), Nilaya (34m Reichel Pugh/Nautor), Nefertiti (27m, Nautor), and Heartbeat (35m Hoek).
Now in its 15th year, the ever-popular Superyacht Cup is the longest running superyacht regatta in Europe and is a favourite event with Owners and crews at the start of the summer season in the Mediterranean. Famous for its relaxed atmosphere and fabulous sailing conditions in the Bay of Palma, the Superyacht Cup is very much a family affair with its trademark barbecues, dockside parties, and a spectacular outdoor gala evening overlooking the Bay of Palma on the final evening.
There are also plans for a Superyacht Cup Golf Day this year, on the day following the event, Sunday 26th June.
“Its fantastic to see so many new yachts coming to the event this year,” commented new 2011 Event Director James Pleasance. “We look forward to welcoming these and all the other competitors to Palma in June and showing them what the Superyacht Cup is all about!”
For more information and images from previous Cup regattas in Palma and Antigua, visit www.thesuperyachtcup.com
Muelle Viejo Palma (Photo courtesy of The Superyacht Cup)
Winner Day 1 , Scorpione Dei Mari (Photo Courtesy of Clairematches.com)
Day 1 of The Superyacht Cup Palma 2010 dawned clear, bright and ominously still. Nevertheless, the diverse fleet, which features this year many yachts familiar to superyacht racing fans, representing yacht builders worldwide, including Holland Yachtbouw Shamoun, Fitzroy’s Salperton IV, Royal Huisman Gliss, Wally Saudade, and of course, the unmistakable Maltese Falcon, built by Perini Navi, joined by her baby sister, P2, left the port before mid-day, hoping for the usual daily afternoon breeze to kick in. Yet in the end, the Wind Gods did not disappoint, so with only a short delay, the racing kicked off at 13:30, as Drumfire led the fleet with a clean start.
It was a long day on the course, with all of the yachts bringing home their tired sailors long after cocktail hour should have started, yet once again, Jim Teeters proved he’s at the top of his personal game, with finishes for the fleet of 21 yachts coming in within only a sixty-three minute gap. The race was called by SYC’s newest star, the well-known American sailor Peter Craig, who took to the airwaves as professional Race Officer, having participated in the SYC 2007 onboard Meteor.
The story of the day was Castro designed, Jongert built Scorpione dei Mari, a veteran of many large yacht races worldwide, whose expert crew onboard cumulatively boasted a phenomenal fifty Superyacht Cup races. Proving that experience does apparently count, Scorpione bit into her first ever race win, coming in a few minutes ahead of Anny, and taking First Place in both Cruising Class as well as the top spot overall. Her elated owners Kim and Shirley Schindelhayer commented that for him, “it finally all came out right!”
The entire crew of Scorpione dei Mari, clad in their distinctive acid-green shirts augmented by a variety of Cowboy and Indian paraphernalia, joined the large group of fellow Superyacht Cup racers, sponsors and press to celebrate long into the night with The Yacht Report Group and MTN Satellite Communications sponsored Western-themed barbecue, which was enjoyed by one and all. Once again, the newest location of the SYC Palma proved a roaring success, as cowboys and cowgirls, sherrifs and indians danced up a storm under the tent, illuminated by bright moonlight.
By Norma Trease
