Palm
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The Superyacht Cup Palma 2022, the longest-running superyacht regatta in Europe, started this morning in the hands of the J-Class quartet, which has a good number of sailing legends on board, with names like Ed Baird, Peter Holmberg , Bouwe Bekking, Tom Dodson, Nacho Postigo, Paul Standbridge, Jordi Calafat, Francesco De Angelis or Marcel Van Triest.
With almost perfect sailing conditions, with winds between 10 and 14 knots, the imposing J-Class have completed two tests in the crystal clear waters of the Bay of Palma. At over 40 meters in length – Ranger, Svea, Topaz and Velsheda – have offered a masterclass in close-quarters racing, with skilful crew work and active tactical decision-making that have varied the lead in each heat .
The high level of the fleet and the desire to compete have been evident since the first test, in which Ranger crossed the starting line early, being forced to turn around again. At the windward mark, Topaz passed first within striking distance of Svea and Velsheda, with Ranger hot on their heels in a determined attempt to come back.
The defining moment came at the end of the first of two laps, with Topaz and Svea neck-and-neck and taking the gate from opposite ends. Svea did it on the left side of the windward stage, which gave him a clear advantage that he was able to maintain until the end, taking victory in the first test, followed by Topaz, Ranger and Velsheda.
“The victory was a bit surprising, but we are very happy,” said Svea tactician Bouwe Bekking. We have been in the fight and that is the most important thing for us: we have no expectations, since we are sailing on a boat for the first time and with a new team”.
“We are very happy with how we have completed the test. We have passed some boats, so the work of the crew is going well and everything has gone well. In the last test we were all within 20 seconds and we lost, but these things pass”.
With Palma’s legendary sea breeze in full swing, the second test was held in dynamic conditions, in which the correct adaptation to changes in wind has once again proved to be the key to success. This time it was Velsheda who took advantage at the windward mark, managing to hold it until the end.
However, following the J-Class ranking system, designed to allow balanced competition between boats of different characteristics, weight and age, Topaz emerged victorious, with Velsheda in second place, followed by Ranger and Svea.
The first day of competition in the Superyacht Cup Palma leaves a provisional J-Class table with Topaz in the lead with three points, followed by Svea with five, and Velsheda and Ranger tied with six points.
Topaz Race Director Tim Kroger was delighted to comment that “It has been absolutely wonderful, Palma at its best, the Superyacht Cup at its best. It has been a great start for us, and to be together again with four boats on the starting line is just a wonderful experience. It’s been very, very close, not only in the water but also in the compensatory time, with only a few seconds between us”.
Tomorrow, Thursday, the J-Class quartet will be joined by the rest of the Superyacht Cup fleet, for three more days of intense racing, in which they will compete for the 2022 overall winner and the J-Class trophy.
“We knew that the J Class was going to bring something special to Superyacht Cup Palma, and today it has been shown. It has been fantastic to have these four iconic boats opening the event”assured Kate Branagh, director of the Superyacht Cup Palma.
“Tomorrow the rest of the fleet will also be in action, and we expect the other two classes to be equally competitive, with the aim of winning the overall Superyacht Cup Palma trophy.”
Back on land, the Real Club Náutico de Palma, a regular collaborator in the organization of the regatta, has once again been the perfect host for the long-awaited social events of the Superyacht Cup Palma. After the captains’ briefing in the Sala Magna of the Mallorcan club, the event’s sponsor destination, New Zealand, together with DYT Yacht Transport, offered the welcome cocktail on the terrace of the RCN Palma.
Tomorrow, Thursday, the Pantaenius Race Day will show the entire fleet in action and, after the regattas, the North Sails & Southern Spars Happy Hour will be held on the terrace of the RCN Palma. New Zealand Race Day and St. Regis Race Day, together with the hotel sponsor of the Superyacht Cup Palma, the St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, will complete the regatta program on Friday and Saturday.
In addition to the official Jaquet Droz watch and those mentioned above, the Superyacht Cup Palma has the following Silver Partners: Astilleros de Mallorca, Evolution Sails, Gottifredi Maffioli, RSB Rigging, Marinepool, Vitters Shipyard, Baltic Yachts and Hoek Design.
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism