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Superyacht Cup PalmaShowdown of the greatest off Mallorca

Martin Hager

 · 16.05.2024

"Maximus"
Photo: Vitters / Michael Kurtz
In around a month's time, from 19 to 22 June, eleven superyachts between 24 and 59.30 metres in length will be moored at the Real Club Náutico in Palma de Mallorca, where they will let off steam on the regatta course in the south-west of the popular Balearic island as part of the Superyacht Cup Palma. Spectacular sailing scenes are guaranteed, as three J-Class beauties have also announced their participation: "Velsheda", "Svea" and "Rainbow"

Since its inception in 1996, the Superyacht Cup Palma (SYCP) has been the most traditional superyacht regatta in Europe. The annual event, which is being held for the 29th time this year, brings together some of the largest sailing yachts in the world to sail against each other in the bay of Palma. The event combines competitive racing in a constant summer breeze with a colourful and relaxed social programme in the maritime heart of Palma, the centre of the Mediterranean superyacht scene. In addition, the exclusive event offers an attractive environment for informal networking in the Race Village, which becomes a meeting point for owners, guests and sponsors after the regattas.

If all the yachts taking part in this year's SYCP were lined up in a row, the total length would be 396.79 metres. The 59.30 metre long performance ketch "Maximus", which is making its Superyacht Cup debut, is particularly eagerly awaited. The Germán Frers design was launched last year by the Dutch shipyard Vitters and commissioned by an experienced owner who wanted "the most beautiful and fastest ketch in the world". According to the technical data, it looks as if the mission was a success. "Maximus" displaces 330 tonnes and carries a maximum of 3,980 square metres of sail laminate from Doyle Sails on its 65 and 48 metre high masts. So let the supersailing show begin!

Three J-Class yachts at the Superyacht Cup Palma

As in previous Superyacht Cups, three J-Class yachts will once again be setting course for Palma de Mallorca this year, including the 44-metre "Svea", the 39.50-metre "Velsheda" and the 39.89-metre "Rainbow", all of which will be crewed by a large number of professionals.

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The 39-metre-long André Hoek design "Atalante" is also an old acquaintance on the SYCP entry list; the last time the Alu-Slup was on the starting line was in 2017.

"After taking a break for a few years, we are all the more looking forward to this year's event and the regattas," says Captain Michael Elias. "If we are in the Mediterranean at the time of the SYCP, participation is a must!"

YYachts shipyard boss Michael Schmidt himself at the helm

There is also a nice field of competitors in the 80-footer this year. The 25-metre Swan "Dark Horse" (ex-"Chessie") is sailing against "Umiko" and the 24-metre Wally "Rose", which dominated the races last year and is determined to defend its title. The competitive 80-foot quartet is completed by with "Calabash" the latest format from YYachts-Hallenwhich has an extremely experienced regatta sailor at the helm in the form of shipyard manager Michael Schmidt. Spectators can look forward to these races in particular.

"The Superyacht Cup Palma is a new event for us," says "Dark Horse" skipper Sacha Pace. "The regatta area is great, and of course we can't wait to experience the social side - the SYCP is known for its racing and fun on land."

The 39-metre "Cervo" (ex-"G2"), designed by Bill Tripp, and the similarly sized 128-foot "Vijorana", another Hoek design, round off the field of participants.

YACHT's sister magazine BOOTE EXCLUSIV is media partner of the Superyacht Cup Palma and will publish daily regatta updates from 19 to 22 June.

Martin Hager

Martin Hager

Editor in Chief YACHT

Martin Hager is editor-in-chief of the titles YACHT and BOOTE EXCLUSIV and has been working for Delius Klasing Verlag for 20 years. He was born in Heidelberg in 1978 and started sailing at the age of six, in an Opti of course. This was soon followed by 420s, Sprinta Sport and 470s, which he also sailed on the regatta course with his brother. His parents regularly took him on charter trips through the Greek and Balearic Islands. Even at a young age, it was clear to him that he wanted to turn his passion for water sports into a career. After graduating from high school and completing an internship at the Rathje boatbuilding company in Kiel, it was clear that he did not want to become a classic boatbuilder. Instead, he successfully studied shipbuilding and marine engineering in the Schleswig-Holstein state capital and focused on yacht design wherever he could. His diploma thesis dealt with the “Testing of a new speed prediction method for sailing yachts”. In 2004, the superyacht magazine BOOTE EXCLUSIV was looking for an editor with technical and nautical background knowledge, a position that was perfect for Martin Hager. The application was successful and a two-year traineeship was arranged. After twelve years as an editor, the editorial team changed and he took over responsibility for BOOTE EXCLUSIV as editor-in-chief in 2017. After long-time YACHT editor-in-chief Jochen Rieker moved to the role of publisher, Martin Hager also took over the position of editor-in-chief of Europe's largest sailing magazine YACHT, which is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year, at the beginning of 2023. When he's not working on topics for the two water sports titles, Martin Hager likes to go out on the water himself - preferably with kite and wingfoil equipment or on a little after-work trip across the Alster.

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