J Class superyachts will be joining the fun next year at Superyacht Cup Palma, Europe’s longest running superyacht regatta.
The J Class Association and owners will take part in the Mallorcan festival of sail as one of three events planned for their racing season next year, and a trio of the magnificent vessels – Topaz, Ranger and 2018 SYC champion Velsheda – are already confirmed entries.
To accommodate the J Class, and after consultation with SYC’s race management partner the Real Club Náutico de Palma and a number of other superyachts who had expressed an early interest in attending, the 2022 regatta will now be run from June 29 to July 2, a small move of a week from the earlier June 22-25 dates.
The J Class has a long association with Superyacht Cup Palma, and most of the existing fleet have graced the Bay of Palma regatta, several on numerous occasions, with the venerable Velsheda showing her superyacht rivals a clean pair of heels to top the overall table in 2018.
Superyacht Cup Palma has built its reputation on having a unique atmosphere, close racing, excellent conditions and great event organisation from the teams at SYC and RCNP, so the decision to include it in the 2022 season seems to have been an easy one with J Class owners unanimous in choosing it.
It is also set to be a popular decision with the captains and crews, not least Velsheda. “We have raced at the Superyacht Cup many times and it is a firm favourite,” said her captain Barney Henshaw-Depledge.
Palma has much to offer in terms of services for yachts, good restaurants and hotels and easy logistics for a large crew. With flat water and good sea breeze conditions in the summer the event should be a well contested race.
Superyacht Cup Palma will now open with superyacht registration and the captain’s briefing on Wednesday 29 June 2022, followed by three days of racing concluding on Saturday 2 July.