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.
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.
The newest and largest member of the J Class fleet, Svea was launched in 2017 by Dutch yard Vitters. Fresh from her class victory at the St Barths Bucket 2018, she will be hoping to continue her winning streak at the Superyacht Cup Palma.
Photo: Carlo Borlenghi
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.
Built by renowned Italian yard Perini Navi from a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, the flybridge sailing yacht Aquarius has been cruising the world since 1990. A 2010 refit saw new Formula masts fitted and in boom furling systems added to better control her 923 square metres of sail, which will be given a thorough workout at the Superyacht Cup Palma 2018.
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