J Class provide the perfect launchpad for Superyacht Cup Palma 2022 Wednesday 29 June, 2022
J Class provide the perfect launchpad for Superyacht Cup Palma 2022 Wednesday 29 June, 2022
Svea and Topaz take race wins Ranger and Velsheda keep the pressure on Ideal conditions lead off four days of competitive racing
Superyacht Cup Palma 2022 got off to a flying start today with a quartet of J Class yachts conducting a superb symphony of sail racing out on the Bay of Palma to launch the latest edition of Europe's longest-running superyacht regatta. Two windward-leeward races in near perfect sailing conditions of 10 to 14 knots, saw the awe-inspiring 40m-plus J Class yachts – Ranger, Svea, Topaz and Velsheda – put on a masterclass of close-quarter racing, slick crew work and active tactical decision-making that saw the lead on the water changing on almost a leg-by-leg basis. In the opening race the competition within the class was self-evident from the off, with Ranger over the line early in the fleet start and having to recross the line. At the top mark Topaz narrowly led Svea and Velsheda, with a hard-charging Ranger hot on their heels amid a determined fightback. The decisive moment in the race came at the end of the first lap of two, with Topaz and Svea neck-and-neck but rounding opposite ends of the downwind gate, with Svea's decision to take the left hand side of the upwind leg giving her a clear lead she was able to hold to the finish, taking the first race win ahead of Topaz, Ranger and Velsheda. "The race win was a bit of a surprise, but we were very happy with that," said Bouwe Bekking, tactician on Svea.
"The race win was a bit of a surprise, but we were very happy with that," said Bouwe Bekking, tactician on Svea. "We were in the mix and that is the most important thing for us – we have no expectations being on the boat for the first time with a new team.