Superyacht Cup Palma 2018 is off to a Flying Start

The New Zealand Millennium Cup, which concludes tomorrow, marks the start of the superyacht racing season, not to mention the beginning of the countdown to The Superyacht Cup Palma, one of the most hotly anticipated events on the superyacht sailing calendar.

Although racing is still six months away, this year's entry list already boasts some of the most legendary yachts on the regatta circuit. Moreover, first-time and veteran entrants are not only coming in quick but there are only 20 berths available in the Regatta Village. Captains keen to secure their slice of the action are advised to contact kate@thesuperyachtcup.com for an entry form soon. The 2018 Superyacht Cup Palma Notice of Race can be found on the event website here.

A number of the yachts returning to race in Palma are Hoek designs, distinctive with their trademark 'Hoek look'. These include, Atalante (38.8), competing for a third consecutive time, Svea, one of this year's illustrious J-Class competitors, and the mighty Athos. At 62m overall and 10.9m across, Athos weighs in at 370 tonnes. Her 1,980-square metre upwind sail area required Rondal to build what was their tallest carbon rig at the time of stepping. At least as impressive is the four-year world cruise Athos has just completed. During the epic journey this icon of the Hoek drawing board visited some of the tiniest and most remote Pacific islands.

The mighty Athos during the 2011 edition of the SYC. clairematches.com

Aside from welcoming back some incredible yachts we're proud to announce that insurance specialist Pantaenius, a passionate supporter of the regatta since day one, will return as a partner. What's more, the Pantaenius Race, the first of three superyacht races, will take place for the 7th year in a row.

Pantaenius boasts nearly 50 years of experience providing yacht insurance to owners from all corners of the globe. With almost 100.000 satisfied clients and twelve offices on three continents, the company is the top yacht insurance provider in Europe and a crucial key-player in the superyacht industry. The Pantaenius team will be on-site during the event to answer any questions.

Pantaenius have been supporting The SYC since day one. Photo courtesy of Pantaenius.

We'd also like to take this opportunity to thank all other returning sponsors: St. Regis, 100% Pure New Zealand, Baltic Yachts, Pendennis, Astilleros de Mallorca, Claasen Shipyards, Gottifredi Maffioli, Reckmann, Rondal, STP and Happy Hour sponsors North Sails and Southern Spars.

Join the race to restore ocean health

The Superyacht Cup is the first superyacht regatta to engage crews and owners in joining the race to restore ocean health with Sailors for the Sea's Clean Regattas programme. Marja Kok is a Palma-based superyacht captain, she is already involved with protecting the waters we love and is interested in gauging crew habits, thoughts and awareness through this questionnaire. Please take a few minutes to complete her survey on behalf of the yacht you work on.