Most of the 20 superyachts taking part in the milestone event seized the opportunity to fine tune their racing skills in the excellent sailing conditions on offer in the waters off Mallorca's capital.

None more so than the two J Class yachts taking part – Rainbow and Svea – who will effectively be engaged in a match race from tomorrow on their own windward-leeward course. The duo practiced their starts and mark roundings in the final countdown to Thursday's start of the 30th edition of Europe's longest-standing superyacht regatta.

Also out on the bay were several of the YYachts taking part in 2026, entries in the first ever Multihull Class at the event, and regular attendees and first timers in the two Superyacht Classes.

Speaking ahead of the opening day, Superyacht Cup Palma Richard Mille's Event Director Kate Branagh said: "The competition is fierce as they are very serious about the racing, but there is a very relaxed shore-based programme as well. So on the water everyone wants to win, then ashore they are happy to have a drink together."

The regatta's return to the recently redeveloped Club de Mar-Mallorca has allowed the whole fleet to be moored together, she added. "This year it is fabulous to have all the boats together in one place, just like the old days."

And the presence of numerous first-time entries has also added spice to the mix, said Branagh: "We have so many new boats this year, and that brings a new energy as well and keeps the event evolving. This year is very special as it is our 30th anniversary with a new partnership with Richard Mille, so we wanted to do something different and I think we have achieved that."

Among those making their debut at The Superyacht Cup Palma Richard Mille are the 58m Ron Holland designed Perini Navi ketch Burrasca, the elegant 30.9m Wally Inco, and the Swan 100 Point Counter Pointand Swan 88 Spiip.

Five of the six YYachts taking part – the 23.80m Lucid and Distancia, the 29.71m Bella, and the 23.80m Judel/Vrolijk Beati and Brenta 80 Makai – are also first-time entries, with only the 25.99m Calabash, designed by Mallorcan naval architect Javier Jaudenes and owned by YYachts, the only returnee in this class.

Meanwhile an exceptional quartet of multihulls comprise the all-new Multihull Class: Allegra, Gaea, Highland Fling and Layla. Their participation will have an added edge as The Superyacht Cup Palma Richard Mille is also the second event in the International Maxi Association's 2026 Mediterranean Maxi Multihull Challenge. 

Concluding the impressive line-up in Palma are those making a welcome return: the two-time winner Win Win, the powerful Oyster Archelon, the 39m Tripp design Cervo, and the 27m Hoek Design Atalante 1, racing under new ownership.

Racing starts tomorrow, Thursday 25 June, with the Pantaenius Race, and the Owners' 30th Anniversary Celebration Dinner in the evening at St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca. It continues with the 30th Anniversary and St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Races on Friday and Saturday.