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. 
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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