Four days of attractive sailing and lots of fun on land: The fledgling Ibiza JoySail regatta is living up to its name for the second time in a row. A fleet of superlative yachts and their crews have gathered. The Balearic Islands rally will be sailed and enjoyed until 25 September. Regatta photographer Nico Martinez has captured the first races in pictures - they are beautiful in a local autumn atmosphere. And they show an area that is only just being rediscovered by the maxi teams for their regatta sport.
Royal Huisman's "Hyperion" is the giant in the field
The small but mighty Ibiza JoySail fleet first completed a feeder race from Palma to Ibiza in the area between Ibiza, Formentera and Mallorca and then two shorter races between Ibiza and Formentera on the following day. This is also where the showdown will take place on the final Sunday. The largest participating yacht is the Frers 155 "Hyperion" from Royal Huisman. The Dykstra 152 "Windrose of Amsterdam" from Holland Jachbouw is barely shorter. The Y9 90 "Bella II" from Y Yachts, based in Hamburg, is at the start.
For America's Cup winner Peter Holmberg, who was at the helm of the J-Class yacht "Topaz" at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup a fortnight ago and will be the tactician on "Hyperion" at the Ibiza JoySail, the Ibiza JoySail marks a completely new experience: "This is my first time taking part in a regatta in the waters of Ibiza. The coastline is breathtaking! We'll be focussing on our performance on the water and enjoying the sailing. But we'll also have fun at the eighties-themed dinner and party at the Roto in Marina Ibiza." The Video clip from the first day of the regatta gives an insight into the Ibiza JoySail.
Nautor's swans are doing well in the race
Nautor's Swan is also represented with the Swan 115 "Moat" and other siblings after the 21st Rolex Swan Cup festival that has just ended off Porto Cervo. After two races, "Moat" led the overall standings ahead of the Swan 80 "Sapma" and the SW-RP 90 "All Smoke" from Southern Wind. Sapma" was also initially ahead in the amateur classification, followed by "Bella II" and the Swan 80 "Dark Horse". The teams on the maxis and superyachts enjoy the ORC-supported summit meeting. The organisers of the Regatta on the Move are Club Náutico de Ibiza, the STP shipyard in Palma and Marina Ibiza. Together they want to make the Ibiza JoySail Regatta a new fixture in the maxi yacht regatta calendar. Click here for the Homepage of the regatta and all information, results and live link.
