• Check out the highlights to relive this year’s festival of superyachting on the Bay of Palma
• And if you missed The Superyacht Cup Palma on The World Sailing Show, click here. 
• Or on CNN Mainsail, click here. 
• Exclusive 22nd Superyacht Cup clothing, luggage and accessories are available now in a half-price sale for a limited period of time, click here to get kitted out!

Don't miss out on the exclusive 22nd Superyacht Cup clothing, luggage and accessory sale!

Make sure to save the date for the 23rd running of Europe’s largest and longest-running superyacht regatta from 19–22 June 2019.

Our 23rd edition will again offer yacht owners, their friends, captains, crews and sponsors the opportunity to meet in an idyllic setting both on and off the water.

The successful 2018 event reunited old friends and rivals along with several newcomers among the 17-strong fleet.

The final outcome of the 2018 Superyacht Cup was in the balance until the final moments of competition. An absorbing final day concluded with two very different superyachts tied on points for the overall trophy, with the venerable J Class yacht Velsheda edging out the record-breaking Class B super-ketch Mari-Cha III on countback alone.

With racing across four classes several other magnificent superyachts also got a share of the limelight.

The lightweight carbon flyer Win Win repeated her 2017 Class A winning performance, while the impressive 50m ketch Silencio took Class C.

Another ketch, Q, emerged as winner of the newly added non-spinnaker Corinthian Class.

Planning is already well underway for the 2019 celebration of superyacht racing, with organisers again focused on constantly improving a regatta that has gone from strength to strength since it started in 1997.

“The Superyacht Cup has grown and evolved its own unique atmosphere over the years,” said Event Director Kate Branagh.

“It is a reunion event for many of our regular participants, and a real family gathering that offers a warm welcome to every member of the international superyacht community.

“As ever, the 23rd Superyacht Cup next year will offer competitive racing and an informal, relaxed social programme in equal measure. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back!”

Stay posted for the Notice of Race in December and entries opening in January – all information here: http://www.thesuperyachtcup.com

Velsheda stormed around the course to take the overall Superyacht Cup trophy - credit Claire Matches

A dramatic day on Palma Bay saw the final outcome of the 22nd Superyacht Cup hanging in the balance until the final moments of competition.

Once the spray had settled at the end of the deciding St. Regis Mardavall Race the overall trophy went narrowly but deservedly to the famous J Class yacht Velsheda after an inspiring performance over the three days of Europe’s largest and longest-running superyacht regatta.

The venerable Velsheda, built in 1933 and since lovingly restored and regularly optimised, took two wins from three races in Class B to finish level on overall points with the superketch Mari-Cha III, taking the class and the overall Superyacht Cup title on countback. Another well sailed ketch Sojana finished third overall.

“To be in the mix with all the guys in Class B and to able to hold our own was delightful, then to come out top overall is completely amazing,” said Lars Loftus, Velsheda owner’s representative. “It should be close racing and it was a tie with Mari-Cha before we got them on countback, but we will take it.

“To be able to come here and race against such a diverse fleet is really a hats’ off to the ORCsy rating, the way that they take the information that we give them and how they rate us shows that they are paying attention.

“This is a brilliant regatta and the social side is a great complement to what we do out on the water. A lot of the guys have been sailing on Velsheda for many years, so to come here and take the old girl out on the water and get a win is simply fantastic.

“An event like this, with the atmosphere and all the different classes, is really conducive to getting the owners involved and getting them out on the water and racing these boats. They have obviously got a passion for sailing, they are committed to it, and to be able to come out and do it in an arena like this is brilliant for them.”

Win Win lived up to her name with victory in a tightly contested Class A - credit Claire Matches

Another dazzling day out on the water in the spectacular conditions so often delivered on Palma Bay saw other class results and individual rivalries settled in the friendly competition that is such a hallmark of The Superyacht Cup.

Win Win repeated her Class A winning performance of last year – which itself followed an overall Superyacht Cup win in 2016 – after holding off strong challenges from both Saudade and Highland Fling 15.

Going into the finale with all three boats tied on points, the closest Class A race of the regatta saw Win Win eke out a narrow advantage to take the victory, immaculate boat handling and crisp manoeuvres perhaps the deciding factor. Saudade finished second overall with Highland Fling third.

Silencio took a race win on her way to victory in Class C - credit Claire Matches

Bolero won the final race in Class C, but Silencio’s second place to add to her earlier first and second saw her take the overall class win ahead of Bolero and Athos.

While the Corinthian Class D – making its first appearance at the regatta – were not in contention for the overall Superyacht Cup trophy, the two yachts involved raced hard, with Q taking the win ahead of Scorpione of London.

Moreover, the skipper of Scorpione of London reckons the more relaxed non-spinnaker category has a big part to play in the future of the event.

“The Corinthian Class is a nice idea to bring new owners into this event. It is a great entry level and if we can develop the Corinthian concept it will build the regatta for years to come,” said Clive Walker.

Event director Kate Branagh summed up the 2018 Superyacht Cup, saying: “Palma Bay delivered again as always, with some fantastic close racing across a range of classes, followed by relaxed and friendly times ashore.

“The owners and crews have had a memorable time and we look forward to welcoming many of them back again next year to the 23rd Superyacht Cup.”

Q wins first ever Superyacht Cup Palma Corinthian Class contest - credit Claire Matches

Biggest boat in the fleet, Athos, made the most of the big breeze to win her Class - credit Claire Matches

The Superyacht Cup Palma fleet returned to action today with an added ingredient – a shot of extra breeze which set Palma Bay alive.

Any early concerns over the wind evaporated as Palma’s ever reliable sea breeze kicked in to send the 16-strong fleet off to a flying start in a steady 10 to 15 knots.

The extra five knots of wind around the course added spice to an already indulgent feast of sailing, with the battle lines now firmly established on the route to deciding the contenders for winner of Europe’s largest and longest-running superyacht regatta.

That said, the close contest in Class A saw all three hard-charging boats in lockstep around the course. With the final results the exact opposite of yesterday – Win Win first today ahead of Saudade and Highland Fling – each yacht sits on four points with all to play for in tomorrow’s decider.

“The fact we are all tied on points shows that it is pretty close racing,” said Win Win’s skipper Ryan Taylor. “We were expecting it though, it is always tight racing with these guys, always a challenge.”
As former winners of The Superyacht Cup and class winners last year, the Win Win crew will be aiming for another strong result. Taylor added: “We are based here, so The Superyacht Cup Palma is a pretty special event for us.”

Mari Cha III, 21-years-old and still a stunning super-maxi - credit Claire Matches

In the diverse and competitive Class B, the largest class at the regatta, Mari-Cha III emerged the winner ahead of Sojana with Ganesha in third place.

After a second place yesterday the 45m super-ketch is poised ahead of the final day said race skipper Mike Sanderson, still buzzing after an exhilarating day on the water.

“It was amazing and Palma Bay turned it on once again – it is a very special place to sail,” he said.

“We had a reaching superyacht course and beautiful conditions. It was one of those days that was spectacular to watch as well, even from where we were sitting. If we have a good day tomorrow we are well placed – so fingers crossed.”

Velsheda second only to Mari Cha III in Class B - credit Claire Matches

Between the J Class rivals in Class B, the day went again to Velsheda, who finished fourth in the class, with Svea fifth just 14 seconds in arrears on corrected time.

Overall, Mari-Cha III leads Class B on three points, Velsheda is second with five, and Sojana third with seven.

In Class C, the majestic 56m Athos made the most of the bigger breeze to win the day. However, Silencio added a second place to her first day victory to lead overall from Athos and Bolero.

And it was a case of trading places in the two-boat Corinthian Class D, Q taking the win today ahead yesterday’s winner Scorpione of London – as in Class A the two are dead level on points and anticipating tomorrow’s winner-takes-all finale.

Once ashore owners, skippers and crews enjoyed the Southern Spars Happy Hour and expended any remaining competitive energy in the Pendennis Paddle Board Challenge, which was followed by the invitation-only Owners’ Mid-Summer Barbeque at The St. Regis Mardavall, one of The Superyacht Cup Palma’s main partners.

Racing at The Superyacht Cup Palma continues tomorrow with the final day of racing.

Team Athos dominated Pendennis Paddleboard Challenge - credit Claire Matches