PalmaVela launches with the first coastal race of the Maxi class

A great first day for the 19th edition of PalmaVela. The Maxi fleet, made up of nine boats divided into two categories, was the first class to launch the event organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP), with a first coastal race and victories from "Galateia" and "Stormvogel", the first leaders of the competition.

A south south-easterly wind of between ten and twelve knots enabled the Race Committee to start the race just after 13:00h in the centre of the Bay of Palma. A 30-nm route for the Maxi A and 25 nm for the teams in group B.

In division A, the Wallycento "Galateia" skippered by David M. Leuschen was the fastest boat of the day, completing the race in two hours and 29 minutes, creating sufficient distance to seal their partial victory with an advantage of three minutes and four seconds in compensated time ahead of the second-place boat.

At the end of the day, Spanish sailor Pablo Arrarte, competing on board "Galateia", explained the day or racing,

"Today's race was a classic in Palma, with more pressure over to the left. We knew that the start would be the most important part of the regatta, and especially in the coastal race, where in the end the second placed boat is following the leader. Kelvin and David [Leuschen], the skipper, did a great job at the start and we were able to begin on the left at the mark, and from there onwards it was very smooth. The boat was fast, and we were able to keep 'Magic Carpet' astern which is our objective."

Behind "Galateia", "Vera" skippered by Nicolás González kicked off with a podium position in second place on the table, whilst the other participating Wallycento, Sir Lindsay Owen's "Magic Carpet 3" currently makes up the third provisional podium position.

In the Maxi B class, the first victory of PalmaVela was claimed by the legendary 1961 Maxi, "Stormvogel", protagonist of the famous film "Dead Calm". The team skippered by Ermanno Traverso was the second to complete the course, but with corrected time became the provisional leader ahead of Romain Mouchel's "Atalante."

The third position in the Maxi group B on day 1 went to Christian Hentschel's "Anima II."

On Friday, ten new divisions and the launch of the Mediterranean Sailing Circuit 2023
On Friday 96 out of the 110 boats participating this year in PalmaVela, will be set to race on the Bay of Palma to fight for the event title. The two divisions of Maxis who made their racing debut on Thursday will be joined on the racecourse by the One Designs: J80, 6 Metres and Dragons, Vintage, Spirit of Tradition and the five divisions of the ORC -0-1, 2, 3, 4-5 and Sportboat.

It will also be the launch of the Mediterranean Sailing Circuit 2023, a combined initiative from the RCNP, the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona and the Real Club Náutico de Valencia to motivate the participation of the ORC fleets outside their original regions.

Once again, the first race will start at 13:00h on Friday for all the classes and wind conditions are promising to be similar to those on Thursday.

RESULTS. DAY 1
(Position/Boat/Skipper/Points)

MAXI A
1. Galateia, David M. Leuschen, 1 point
2. Vera, Nicolás González, 2 points
3. Magic Carpet 3, Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, 3 points

MAXI B
1. Stormvogel, Ermanno Traverso, 1 point
2. Atalante, Romain Mouchel, 2 points
3. Anima II, Christian Hentschel, 3 points