The Superyacht Cup Palma is off to a flying start in sparkling conditions Thursday 20 June 2019
The Superyacht Cup Palma is off to a flying start in sparkling conditions Thursday 20 June 2019
The 23 rd edition of Europe’s longest-running superyacht regatta got started Thursday with the bay off Mallorca’s capital again delivering sparkling racing conditions for The Superyacht Cup Palma. Nilaya got proceedings underway, the 34m dark hulled black sail carbon sloop powering up and crossing the line as the first to start the opening Pantaenius Race in the 13-strong superyacht fleet.
Class A led the way, with Nilaya followed off the starting blocks by Win Win and the equally high-performance Open Season in what looks set to be a hard-fought class contest. At the finish the start order was reversed, but as Superyacht Cup regulars know nothing is decided until the ORCsy handicap system has worked its magic. Once the ratings were applied the winner was the suitably named Win Win, ahead of Open Season. The creation of Mallorcan designer Javier Jaudenes, Win Win was a class victor over the last two years and an overall Cup champion in 2016. “It’s very exciting to be back again for the fourth year in a row, and we are just trying to keep up the standard and repeat our performance this year,” said skipper Ryan Taylor. “It’s a good class and so far so good, but the first day is only the start of course – everyone in our class is going to give us a run for our money, and let’s face it we’re all here to win, no one is here to finish second or third,” he laughed.
Class B saw the closest contest, with Velsheda getting off to a winning start in defence of her 2018 SYC title – but only by 15 seconds from her J-Class compatriot Topaz.