The time has come and it is all systems go for the start of Superyacht Cup Palma 2022, with a diverse selection of some of the planet's most inspiring superyachts preparing to put on a show at the home of Mediterranean superyachting.
Crews are beginning to gather ahead of the start of racing on Wednesday 29 June, making final adjustments and putting in some intensive training in preparation for what is sure to be highly competitive action at this latest edition of Europe's longest-running superyacht regatta.
"This year sees a welcome return to normality for our 26th edition and we are sure the racing will again be the centrepiece of what is always a fabulous festival of sail on the Bay of Palma," said SYC Event Director Kate Branagh.
"Added to that we are delighted to return to the incomparable Real Club Náutico de Palma, our race management partners since 2011, and to be making a welcome return to Mallorca's best address, the five-star St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, for our Owners' Summer Barbecue. It's going to be a Superyacht Cup Palma to remember," added Branagh.
Leading the charge out on the water are the quartet of iconic J-Class yachts, with the J-Class Association having selected Superyacht Cup Palma as the second of their three key events in 2022, bracketed by the Saint Barth's Bucket back in March and the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in September.
Ranger heads into the Palma regatta having clinched victory in St Barth's by a single point ahead of Velsheda, a situation the latter will be keen to reverse at their Mallorcan encounter. Meanwhile, Svea and Topaz will each be looking to gate-crash the Palma party – and podium – with all four yachts crewed by a veritable Who's Who of top-line professional yacht racers.
"It is just great to be back fleet racing this year and we are looking forward to competing with our rivals in the J-Class, as well as the other great yachts in the wider Superyacht Cup Palma fleet," said Velsheda's captain Barney Henshaw-Depledge.
"Win, lose or draw – and we're certainly looking at the first of those – it is going to be challenging on the water and fun ashore."
While the J-Class yachts will have two exclusive races to themselves on Wednesday, they will join the rest of the SYC fleet for the following three days of racing, making them eligible for the overall Superyacht Cup Palma trophy.
Looking to deny them that opportunity are two other highly competitive classes. Class A features a trio of high-performance flyers, namely the 32m Farr designed Kiboko Tres, the 24m Wally yacht Rose, and the 33m Malcolm McKeon designed Pattoo, second in her class last year.
Class B also has an entry aiming to go one better than last year in the shape of the 46m performance cruiser Ganesha, runner-up in class to overall 2021 winner Ravenger. She is joined by the powerful 37.6m Humphreys design Oyster 1225 Archelon – taking part in her first ever regatta – the 27m David Pedrick designed modern classic Savannah, and the 43m sloop La Belle, making her SYC debut.
Superyacht Cup Palma 2022 will get formally underway on June 28 at the Real Club Náutico de Palma with J-Class registration, followed by superyacht registration on June 29, a captain's briefing in RCNP's Great Hall and the Welcome Cocktail presented by SYC's Destination Partner New Zealand and DYT Yacht Transport on the RCNP terrace.
Pantaenius Race Day on Thursday 30 June will see the whole SYC fleet in action, followed by the North Sails & Southern Spars Happy Hour on the RCNP terrace. The New Zealand Race Day and St. Regis Race Day complete the itinerary.
Alongside Official Timepiece Jaquet Droz, other SYC partners and friends not mentioned above include Silver Partners Astilleros de Mallorca, Evolution Sails, Gottifredi Maffioli, RSB Rigging, Marinepool, Vitters Shipyard, Baltic Yachts and Hoek Design.