The longest running superyacht regatta in Europe, the Superyacht Cup, returns to Muelle Viejo in Palma, Mallorca, this summer (June 19-23) and the line-up of competing yachts is as diverse as it is impressive. We size up the 2018 fleet, starting with three recently announced additions...
Launched in July 2016 by Vitters, the striking and elegant Missy is the first yacht to result from a collaboration between the Dutch yard and British studio Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design.
Photo: Jesús Renedo
Q (ex-Mondango II) was originally launched in 2009 at Alloy Yachts, and this Dubois-designed bluewater cruiser has recently had an extensive refit with a Scandinavian theme courtesy of Reymond Langton Design.
Scorpione and Q’s participation at the 2018 Superyacht Cup Palma opens the door to a possible Corinthian Class at the June regatta, allowing owners to experience the thrill of racing with a smaller crew and without spinnakers.
A high-performance composite sloop launched in 2009 by New Zealand yard Yachting Developments, Bliss has previously raced at the 2013 Dubois Cup and the Millennium Cup 2015. She will be making her Superyacht Cup debut this year. “Bliss has been cruising the Pacific and South East Asia for the last four years, so to participate in the Superyacht Cup Palma is a welcome return to the Mediterranean and a great way to see Mallorca at its finest,” said skipper Richard Allingham.
Launched in 1997 by Kiwi yard Sensation Yachts, Mari Cha III is another Briand designed yacht due to race at the Superyacht Cup Palma 2018. More than 20 years after she was built from lightweight composites, this ketch-rigged sailing superyacht is still regarded as one of the fastest in her class. Look out for her distinctive spinnaker, which sports an oriental-style dragon motif.
"We are very excited to come back and participate in the Superyacht Cup Palma after a few years without racing,” said skipper Christian Lay. “Reuniting our team of highly experienced pros and past and present permanent crew is something we make a big effort to do. With consistent winds, a great race committee, good international access and a plentiful supply of hotels and restaurants this is the premier Mediterranean superyacht regatta.”
Saudade will take some beating at the Superyacht Cup Palma 2018. This sloop-rigged Wally 148 sailing yacht won her class at the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta for three years running from 2015 to 2017. Designed by Harrison Eidsgaard with naval architecture by Bill Tripp, Saudade is a force to be reckoned with.
Named after the Hindu god of wisdom and learning, the Vitters sailing superyacht Ganesha flies an image of her namesake on her bright orange spinnaker. She was designed more around handling than outright performance with a beam-to-length ratio that wouldn’t look out of place on a J Class yacht, and her generous rigging is bedecked with 2,212 square metres of 3Di sails from North.
Easily the largest sailing yacht competing at the Superyacht Cup Palma 2018, Athos was launched in 2010 by Holland Jachtbouw. Her 2016 refit at Orams Marine Services in Auckland saw new Doyle staysails and mainsails added with Stratis Carbon Technora membranes. She is widely regarded as one of designer Andre Hoek’s most beautiful creations to date.
Designed by Fred Elliott, with naval architecture by Reichel-Pugh and Paolo Scanu, modern J Class yacht Ranger was delivered by Danish Yachts in 2003. Currently for sale with Northrop & Johnson, Ranger is a regatta regular and has taken wins at the Rolex Maxi Cup and Les Voiles de St Tropez.
Photo: Carlo Borlenghi