Inside Ibiza JoySail: Close racing and big-boat sailing in the Balearics

Nineteen superyachts took to the water between Ibiza and Formentera for the sixth edition of Ibiza JoySail, where shifting conditions produced four days of close racing. Emma Bamford follows the action, from storm-forced delays and waterspouts to Moat’s sixth overall victory and a fleet of some of the world’s most competitive sailing yachts...

“Love is all you need,” read the heart-shaped signs held aloft by dancers from the nightclub Pacha in the race tent at Ibiza JoySail. Love, yes – but when you’re racing superyachts, some fair winds and a drive to win also help.

The invitation-only regatta, based at Marina Ibiza and organised in partnership with STP Shipyard Palma, began five years ago with the aim of being a different and exhilarating superyacht “end-of-season” event and has grown over its six iterations, from just four yachts at the inaugural event to 19 this year.

Ranging from 24 to 39 metres, the fleet was split across five classes: Performance Cruising, Performance Cruising 1, Performance Cruising 2, Performance Cruising 3, and World Cruising, with racing planned across four days in the deep blue waters between Ibiza and Formentera.

Day one was a shoreside affair as an orange alert was issued by the Balearic government over a powerful front accompanied by storms and strong winds. As the skies darkened, the decision was taken by Ibiza JoySail organisers to keep the fleet on the dock, giving crew the chance to refine tactics for the days ahead.

By day two the weather had improved and racing began at noon, with the 19 boats split across five classes: Performance Cruising, Performance Cruising 1, Performance Cruising 2, Performance Cruising 3, and World Cruising.

The fleet set off in a staggered start, with 30.1-metre Pendennis-built Nostromo crossing the start line first.

The course of 21.43nm had a loop around the south-eastern corner of Formentera. With storm clouds still looming, squalls threatening sail trim and even a waterspout spotted, it made for a dramatic race.

While the course itself was relatively straightforward, timing sail drops and changes effectively helped to give a couple of boats precious extra minutes.

Class wins went to 35.2-metre Nautor’s Swan Moat – who also took line honours – the 33-metre Baltic Yachts’ WinWin, 39-metre Vitters-built Cervo, 30.2-metre Nautor’s Swan Point Counter Point and 33.9-metre JOM Holland-built Aurelius.

Chato Domecq, navigator on Moat, said: “It was a beautiful day, with the wind gradually increasing to about 12 knots at the start, and up to 18 knots on the lower stretch of the island. It was great fun. We started last because we were the fastest boat, and therefore we were very much affected by the position of the fleet. In the final stretch, especially, it was a constant process of communicating our intentions to the other boats and passing one after another. Fortunately, we were able to maintain a high line from the beginning, and that saved us from many setbacks.”

Daniel van Starrenburg, owner of Aurelius, winner of the 2025 Ibiza JoySail World Cruising class, said: “We’re so happy to be back at Ibiza JoySail – this is our favourite regatta. It is so well organised and so beautiful – the conditions are perfect. It was a perfect win for us today, the wind gods were with us a little bit, we had some favourable shifts. It was absolutely gorgeous. It’s nice to be able to look behind you and then see the whole fleet!”

After a delicious steak barbecue and an 80s-themed party at the event tent on the Friday night, the fleet returned strong on Saturday, day three. This time the start line was to the west of Ibiza, off Cap des Falcó.

Following Super Yacht Racing Association safety guidelines, again there was a staggered start, with yachts called to the line two minutes apart and tested on getting their timings spot-on.

The slower World Cruising class, pursued by the faster Performance class boats, who went last, leading to a more exciting finish as the fleet were given the chance to converge.

The yachts passed Es Codolar beach and Punta Yondal and headed downwind towards Es Vedra, where two marks split the fleet – the performance class rounded to port while the other classes turned to starboard. The fleet united again as they headed towards the finish.

Point Counter Point nudged over the finish line first in class but a penalty applied for crossing the start line early cost them first place for the day.

Captain Matt Brushwood said: “We had a manic start today but we found our rhythm – we chased the fleet up and we finished in second. Big winds and flat waters, today was perfect conditions for us. Pressure’s on for tomorrow!”

Class wins again went to Moat, WinWin – following an unprecedented third overall victory at The Superyacht Cup Palma Richard Mille in June – Cervo, Rose and Nostromo.

On overall results, WinWin, Cervo, Point Counter Point and Nostromo were class victors. Moat won the performance class – for the sixth time at Ibiza JoySail.

Cole Parada, the Swan’s tactician, said: “The crew is outstanding, they have the boat in perfect shape - there’s a lot of hard work behind this, and the results speak for themselves.”

And of the regatta as a whole, he added: “The great thing about Ibiza is the wide variety of courses, which makes for a very enjoyable regatta; plus, we’ve had excellent sailing conditions with steady, beautiful winds.”

The invitation-only Ibiza JoySail regatta returns in 2027, from 16-19 September.