The 2024 edition of the Ibiza JoySail has concluded, leaving all participants with a sense of excitement after four spectacular days of sailing around "La Isla Blanca" followed by more fun ashore each evening in Ibiza Town.
Five Southern Wind yachts were registered in a global fleet of 20, each among the most reputable and elegant in the 24m+ range.
The new SW108 Gelliceaux emerged as the winner of the Performance Cruising L division, followed by SW105 Kiboko and SW96 Liberty, the latter competing in her first regatta since launching earlier this year in Cape Town.
SW yachts sailed in Corinthian Spirit mode, reducing the preparation time and requiring the owners and their guests to be more actively involved in the racing, with the owners helming each of the five competing SW yachts.
“This proved to be the ideal formula for these yachts, allowing them to fully showcase their performance,” said Giovanni Arrivabene, tactician aboard Kiboko, who continued: "Kiboko, despite her cruising configuration, proved to be enjoyable to handle around the buoys, with consistently exciting face-offs with the other boats"
Fresh off the great success at the St. Barth Bucket, Gelliceaux reaffirmed her strong racing potential, securing two victories on days 1 and 2, followed by a second place on day 3.
The Owning couple, who shared the helming duties remarked on their success: "Another great opportunity for Gelliceaux to stretch her legs and prove herself in lighter wind conditions. Southern Wind did a fabulous job supporting the fleet and adding to the sense of community. Kudos to the organisers for creating such a joyful atmosphere and for making this one of the highlights of the season".
Staying on top of the class was no easy mission, as SW105 Kiboko and SW96 Liberty pushed her to the limit by racing at very high levels. The Ibiza JoySail offered the owners of SW96 Ammonite the perfect opportunity to debut on the racing scene. With a small crew of family and friends, the boat demonstrated that she can become a formidable contender.
RP-Nauta 100 Morgana has been another important protagonist of the event. Competing in the Performance division with a crew of 20 professionals, she finished with a third place.
Andrea Micheli, Southern Wind's CCO, voiced his satisfaction with an event that is becoming a milestone in the Southern Wind calendar. During the SW Family Dinner, held in a charming provincial spot in the Ibiza countryside, he shared these words: "It is great to see how our SW Rendezvous has evolved over the years, shifting from a more cruising-oriented focus to a performance-oriented event, triggering a growing interest in regattas. This event offers a wonderful sweet spot between racing and fun."
But the fun didn’t stop at sea. A refined and well-organized regatta village provided the perfect backdrop for pleasant moments of camaraderie and fun, all in a relaxed atmosphere.
A dense calendar of parties added to the excitement of the event: selected venues within Marina di Ibiza, exquisite food and wine, and top-quality entertainment and music accompanied us for four unforgettable days.
We are proud to have been a partner of this event, and we thank the Ibiza JoySail organizers for offering an unforgettable experience to our owners and crews. The dates for the 2025 edition have been officially announced (18-21 September).
See you next year on the "Isla Loca"!