This year’s Superyacht Cup Palma is shaping up as one of the most competitive in recent years, with early interest in June’s celebration of sail already exceeding expectations.

Kealoha - copyright Jeff Brown

With four months to go to the start of Europe’s largest and longest-running superyacht regatta, no fewer than 20 of the world’s most impressive vessels are provisional entries for the 23rd edition of the event.

At the heart of the fleet is a highly competitive group in the 30m range, with Nilaya, Freya, Inoui, Missy and 2018 class winner Win Win all no doubt fancying their chances of getting the better of their immediate rivals.

Joining the fray – and also in with a definite chance of taking overall honours – are first-time Superyacht Cup entry Kealoha and Open Season, back for the first time since 2015.

The 27.5m Kealoha will join fellow Hoek Design entries Atalante and Athos in what is the fulfilment of a long-standing ambition – “The Superyacht Cup has been on the wish list for Kealoha’s owners for a number of years and they’re very much looking forward to being a part of the action,” said Captain James Saddington.

Meanwhile the high-performance 32m sloop Open Season – formerly Hamilton – will join Saudade in what could potentially become a sizeable Wally contingent if other expressions of interest bear fruit.

A large part of Open Season’s modern good looks is down to the striking exterior and interior design, the work of Design Unlimited who have now joined the Superyacht Cup’s family of supporters.

“We are delighted to be joining the sponsor contingent for The Superyacht Cup,” said Mark Tucker, founder and managing director of Design Unlimited.

“Our versatile and experienced studio team has created the interiors for many of the regatta's competitors over the years and this year is no different, with four yachts we have worked with already on the entry list – Missy, Win Win, Sojana and Open Season.

“We have always taken pride in meeting our client briefs and it will be exciting to see all four of these magnificent yachts gathered together in Palma for what is sure to be another great event.”

Also confirmed as a returning member of the support family is yacht insurance company Pantaenius, a Silver partner and sponsors of the regatta’s first race on Thursday 20 June.

Other returnees will be looking forward to the reliable sailing conditions enjoyed on Palma Bay, as well as the excellent logistics and superb yacht services in Palma itself that make it the envy of many other venues around the Mediterranean and, indeed, the world.

One is the Superyacht Cup holder Velsheda, the venerable J-Class yacht which took the 2018 title on countback ahead of the super-ketch Mari-Cha III, which will also be back again this year.

Velsheda’s tactician Tom Dodson said: “Palma is special, you know the conditions are going to be consistent and the atmosphere around the dock is amazing, all the yachties are here and we all love coming here!”


The Superyacht Cup Palma runs from 19–22 June and the Notice of Race can be downloaded from the website at http://www.thesuperyachtcup.com/sailingdocs.php. It contains all the need to know conditions and details, along with a provisional programme of events – both afloat and ashore.

Check out last year’s action at: https://youtu.be/381-D_E-So8

While the thoughts of many may be turned towards the end of year festivities, superyacht owners, skippers and crews have been planning ahead and registering for next June’s edition of the Superyacht Cup Palma.

The giant Athos will be back in 2019

No fewer than 14 of the world’s finest yachts have already expressed interest in the 23rd edition of Europe’s largest and longest-running superyacht regatta, with 19–22 June blocked out in their 2019 programmes.

As ever, the Superyacht Cup looks set to welcome back old friends while getting ready to make some new ones.

The 2018 champion Velsheda will be back to defend her trophy and will be joined in the always impressive J-Class by Topaz, who will be sure to give her venerable classmate some healthy competition.

Also back – and no doubt out to deny Velsheda a second consecutive victory – is the super-ketch Mari Cha III, Superyacht Cup runner-up on countback in 2018.

Velsheda will be back to defend her title

Atalante, the giant Athos, Freya, Nilaya, Sojana, Inoui and Win Win are all also making a welcome return, while Huckleberry and Kealoha are the new kids on the block with the Superyacht Cup experience to look forward to.

“It is very, very positive to have such a strong expression of interest at this time of year, so the signs are all good for another fantastic Superyacht Cup in 2019,” said Event Director Kate Branagh.

“As ever we will aim to deliver competitive racing alongside an informal and relaxed social programme – it is a mix that has proved a winning combination for over two decades now, and one clearly appreciated by the large number of returning owners, skippers and crews.”

Among regulars making a welcome return is round-the-world race legend and Volvo Ocean Race skipper Bouwe Bekking, who will be aboard the 34m carbon sloop Nilaya, itself returning after a class winning debut in 2011.

“Everything about the Superyacht Cup is just so well organised and set up, so the owners and the crews can just enjoy it,” said Bekking.

“And Palma is the perfect venue as well – when you go out on the water you can be sure of racing, and when you come back you can just soak up the really laid-back ambience on the dock with a fantastic backdrop to it all. It’s just a great time, guaranteed.”

Also returning in 2019 are many of the Superyacht Cup’s long-standing partners, friends and suppliers, including destination and hotel partners 100% Pure New Zealand and St Regis, Gold partner Baltic Yachts – the builder of entrants Nilaya and Win Win – and Silver partners Maffioli, Pantaenius and Astilleros de Mallorca, one of the event’s longest running sponsors.

And back in their vital and welcome role as post-race Happy Hour friends are both Southern Spars and North Sails.

Our preferred hotel partner, the St. Regis Mardavall in all its glory during the 2018 Owner's Dinner

Meanwhile the Notice of Race is now on the Superyacht Cup website for download at http://www.thesuperyachtcup.com/sailingdocs.php with all the need to know conditions and details, along with a provisional programme of events – both afloat and ashore – laid out.

Entry forms are available from kate@thesuperyachtcup.com

There are a limited number of berths available within the Superyacht Cup village area in the heart of Palma, and prospective entrants are advised they will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Those in need of inspiration are invited to view the video at: https://youtu.be/381-D_E-So8

• 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