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
Formerly known as Pink Gin V, the Baltic sailing yacht Scorpione of London was sold to her current owner in July 2017. Her Finnish builder brought her to water for the first time in 2006 and she was refitted in 2011 to reinforce her credentials as a high-performance sloop.
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.
Clasically styled by German Frers with elegant overhangs both fore and aft, Bolero was built in South Africa to Lloyd’s standards from an aluminium hull and launched in 1992 by Bolero Yachts.
With a name that reflects her dual virtues as a regatta racer and a comfortable cruiser, WinWin was built by Baltic and launched in 2014 for a highly experienced and very active owner, who is particularly fond of the Superyacht Cup Palma, praising its “special and relatively reliable” thermal winds.
Immediately recognisable thanks to her vibrant green hull finish that masks high-tech carbon fibre construction by Green Yachts and Vitters, Inouï is sure to turn heads at the Superyacht Cup Palma 2018. A proven light airs performer, this Philippe Briand-designed sloop can achieve speeds of up to eight knots in just six knots of wind.
Launched in 2016 as the third Swan 115 yacht, Highland Fling XV features that winning combination of German Frers design and Nautor’s Swan construction, and she will be making her Superyacht Cup Palma debut in 2018. During her development particular emphasis was placed on boosting downwind speeds to offer more adrenaline-pumping racing without compromising on her ability to offer family cruising in supreme comfort.
Photo: Carlo Borlenghi/Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean
The ketch-rigged sailing superyacht Sojana is another notable entry into the Superyacht Cup Palma 2018. Launched in 2003 and refitted in 2016, she has previously crossed the Atlantic in nine days and ten hours, and her owner has recorded a top speed of 20 knots under sail.
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.
With a history that stretches all the way back to 1933, Velsheda needs no introduction. One of the original J Class yachts that fought it out for the America’s Cup more than 80 years ago, she was built from steel by Camper & Nicholsons and named after original owner WL Stephenson’s three daughters Velma, Sheila and Daphne. After a period of neglect Velsheda was restored in the 1990s with clever design tweaks provided Dykstra Naval Architects.
Photo: Corey Silken