The giants first: huge luxurious super yachts, which met in Mallorca for the 12th time,, sailed from the 11th until the 14th of June in the “Superyacht Cup Ulysse Jardin Palma 2008.” 12 of the elegant mega racers sailed in two classes in all races. The “Hyperion”, by now winner of multiple Superyacht Cups, won the cruising class. In the class of the performance yachts,which is evaluated using the IRC formula, the “Senso One” caused excitement in public even before the races: with two 45 m high masts, this spectacular yacht reaches 40 knots. She won the transatlantic record, with its old name “Mari Cha IV”, in only six days from New York to Lizard. Although in Palma, she had to be content with 2nd place as “Ranger” won the race, a modern reproduction of the legendary J-Class, which defended the America’s Cup in 1937.
The professionals came later in July: the representatives of the Formula 1 in racing yachts, the TP 52 Class (Transpac 52), fought from the 21st till the 26th of July in front of Puerto Portals at the 14th Breitling Regatta, for victories and points for the Audi Med Cup Circuit, with six events in total, this regatta has developed from a top class amateur regattato a professional event. Every year there are more and more professionals from crews that also compete in the America’s Cuo, and as every year, the skipper of the “Bribón”, King Juan Carlos. Although Spain dominates the participant’s list with five boats, as before, there are also other racing yachts from the USA, Germany, Argentina, Sweden, Monaco and two under Russian flag, which sailed for the Breitling Trophy, a baseball cap in silver and gold. The precious metal trophy was won by the team “Quantum Race USA”, which is also leading the Breitling Medcup score, ahead of “Matador” from Argentina and “Platoon powered by Team Germany”.
It then became royal: the Copa del Rey, which took place for the 27th time at the Real Club Nautico, began directly after the end of the Breitling Regatta, the TP 52 racers had to only change their base port. From the 28th of July until the 2nd of August, 113 boats from 15 nations sailed in eight classes for a victory, and the crews celebrated in the race village in the club, as every year, with a cheerful party with live music. First time ever, one team one after five regatta days in two classes: “Desafio Espanol”, founded as the Spanish America’s Cup Team, won the TP 52-class and gave the racers in the smaller GP 42-class noch chance. In the TP 52-race, the “Bribón” finished second, followed by “Platoon powered by Team Germany”.
And finally the classics shine: noble wood, shining brass, halyards and sails, the 24th classic regatta “Trofeo Almirante Conde de Barcelona” took place, as every year, from the 11th till the 17th of August in the Bay of Palma., the meeting point for traditional sailors. The final highlight of the of the regatta week is the yearly parade of the classic yachts on the last Sunday: the classic boats sail in a line in front of the cathedral, flagged all over the mastheads…and say good bye to Palma until next year.