Ibiza JoySail ready to deliver a second helping of friendly racing
Ibiza JoySail ready to deliver a second helping of friendly racing
The Mediterranean's newest and fastest growing superyacht regatta, Ibiza JoySail, is all set to deliver a highly anticipated second helping of friendly racing and exclusive and vibrant hospitality ashore later this month.
Entries for Ibiza JoySail have almost tripled compared to the inaugural event last year, with the word clearly out there about the extraordinary Balearic scenery which is the backdrop to the competitive racing off Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera, and the great events and facilities provided by organisers STP Palma and Marina Ibiza.
“The aim with Ibiza JoySail is to offer a great combination of racing and social activities to appeal to a wide range of owners and crews,” said Race Director Nacho Postigo.
“The great thing about hosting the event in Ibiza in September is the dates fit really well with most superyacht schedules since the Mediterranean charter season is over and following the regatta they still have enough time to haul out the boat before they migrate to the Caribbean; Ibiza is still quite alive in September with a great social offering,” concludes Postigo.
Ibiza JoySail gets underway on Wednesday 21 September with registration in the world-class STP Palma shipyard before attention switches to the opening 65-mile offshore race to Ibiza the next day.
Starting from a line off the lighthouse at Punta Cala Figuera the race teams will be aiming for line honours in their division, as well as competing for the Mallorca-Ibiza Perpetual Trophy which will be awarded to the boat that sets a new record time in the race between the lighthouses of Cala Figuera in Mallorca and Tagomago Island off Ibiza's east coast.
The opening race is then followed by three days of intensive but fun coastal racing around Ibiza and Formentera, culminating in the celebratory prizegiving ceremony in Marina Ibiza on Sunday 25 September.
Daniel Marí, Director of Marina Ibiza, said: “The aim for us is to make the island of Ibiza known as a luxury regatta destination. Ibiza offers exceptional sailing conditions and stunning scenery as well as a truly elegant and luxurious hospitality offering.”
Among the impressive 14-strong racing fleet already taking up the offer are some outstanding examples of the finest superyachts on the planet.
They include three returning after joining the first ever party last year – the Swan 80 Dark Horse, Swan 115 Moat and the YD120 Bliss, with the latter two taking line and corrected time honours respectively in the round Formentera race, and Moat emerging the overall 2021 Ibiza JoySail winner.
Joining the fleet this year are a quartet representing the range of all-carbon vessels constructed by Y Yachts, namely the Y7 70 Miss Shell, a pair of Y8 80s Makai and Y Not, and the Y9 90 Bella II.
The prize for the largest newcomer goes – narrowly – to the impressive 155' Hyperion which was the world's largest sloop until 2000, with the equally eye-catching 152' schooner Windrose of Amsterdam a close second in the overall longest yacht stakes.
Also joining the fun this year is the Southern Wind yard graduate Allsmoke, Oyster 825 Champagne Hippy, the Warwick 95 Patea, and the Swan 80 Sapma.
“We are all obviously delighted that Ibiza JoySail has caught the imagination and interest of the superyacht community,” said Joan Roselló, director of co-organiser STP. “Through Ibiza JoySail we hope to give visibility to our facilities in Palma and the world-leading refit professionals based there.”
Post-racing and once back ashore in Ibiza owners and crews will be able to celebrate their day on the water among their friends and fellow competitors with sundowners at Marina Ibiza followed by an exclusive daily evening social function.