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

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Hello Little One (Photo by Rawphoto.co.uk)

Confirmation of three more yachts in the last few days brings the total entries for The Superyacht Cup 2010 to 19; the maximum number that can be berthed at The Superyacht Cup Village in the centre of the City. Additional yachts may take part in the event, but they will need to find a berth in the Port’s marinas or at STP boat yard – immediately adjacent to the SYC site.

A new development for this year is the appointment of a professional Race Officer, Premiere Racings founder, Peter Craig from Marblehead, USA. Peter has a huge wealth of experience with top-level international regattas, including the Bucket Regattas and the Perini Navi Cup, the Maxi Rolex World Cup, the Swan World Championships and the Volvo Ocean Race. Peter understands the need for adapting the racing approach for superyachts, and his knowledge and expertise will be invaluable in moving forward the new Superyacht Racing protocol; the aim of which is to provide the best possible format for safe and exciting racing for large yachts with very different design and manoeuvrability characteristics. “I had a great time competing in the Superyacht Cup Palma on the schooner Meteor back in 2007,” said Craig. “I’m really pleased to be back in the capacity of PRO and look forward to being a part of this renowned superyacht event.”

Gliss (Photo by Rawphoto.co.uk)

Among the fleet this June will be the winner of The Superyacht Cup in 2009, Gliss. The bright turquoise 32m sloop, designed by Philippe Briand and built by Royal Huisman, made her racing debut at The Superyacht Cup in 2006, soon after being launched in Holland and has been racing successfully ever since. Konkordia (formerly Kokomo), the Dubois designed sloop built by Alloy Yachts in New Zealand in 2006, has arrived back in Palma from the Caribbean and will take part in their first regatta with the new owner this June. A new comer to this year’s event is Saudade, an elegant and powerful yacht, designed by Tripp and built by Wally Yachts. Saudade recently took part in the St Barth’s Bucket and is currently heading to the Mediterranean for the summer season.

In the past few days, Palma has seen a huge influx of yachts returning from Antigua and other parts of the Caribbean. As the docks fill up, and the contractors enter their busiest month of the year, everyone knows it is approaching Superyacht Cup time. All of the yachts are undergoing refit work, general repairs and maintenance and preparing for the season ahead.

Cosworth At Guard (Photo by Claire Matches)

 LIST OF ENTRIES

Hyperion (Photo by Rawphoto.co.uk)

 For more information about the Palma Superyacht Cup 2010 click HERE

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