The day begins in the rough pitch of undulating waves. A crew of sailors, toned muscles and skin bronzed by the  Spanish sun and with the salty air and sea breeze at their back compete for glory upon the high seas. Sailor Alain Gerbault once said, “I wanted freedom, open-air, adventure. I found it on the sea”. Watching the boats glide across the horizon being guided by nimble teams, their frantic movements showing the sheer fast pace of the race as their captain barks the next set of orders. These are superyachts, over 100 feet long and worth a small fortune as they dash about the Balearic sea, just a stone’s throw from the glitz and glamour of one of the med’s most tony islands, Palma de Mallorca.  This is the land of work hard play hard and after a day of back-breaking competition to the victor goes the spoils and once the winner’s cup is hoisted high by the winning team, the hardcore partying begins. This   Superyacht Cup Regatta is the place for competition and decadent living on the high seas. 

One of the most hotly-anticipated events for the Mediterranean sailing community, the prestigious Superyacht Cup Palma is Europe’s longest-running Superyacht Regatta with an array of superyachts all competing to be crowned the victors. Hosted by the Real Club Nautico de Palma,  and within walking distance of Palma Old Town, the event is ideally located for owners, crews, and spectators alike.  With more than nine superyacht entries in 2021 and over sixteen superyachts in previous years, it’s an event that brings people together from around the globe.

The Superyacht Cup Palma was established in 1996 and has been known historically as a social powerhouse. A gathering that attracts some of the most prestigious sailing yachts from around the globe and continues to grow in popularity year on year. It’s the most significant luxury sailing yacht event and a firm favourite among yacht owners, captains, friends, and crew. The regattas informal atmosphere, mixed with a truly impressive entry list of yachts is what makes this exclusive event one that should not be missed. 

The Superyacht Cup is organised by Real Club Nautico de Palma. The fixture will see a day of J-Class racing before the main superyacht fleet takes to the seas for three days of action-packed sailing competition. The regatta has the perfect balance of professionally managed yacht racing and a relaxed informal social programme that can be loved and enjoyed by many.

Taking place around the Bay of Palma, with the world-famous Real Club Nautico at the centre of the operation, you’ll find many superyachts from around the world competing over three full days to be crowned the victors of this coveted regatta. Featuring several returnees such as the 46m Scorpione and the 34m Nilaya, there will also be several newcomers hoping to be crowned victors in their first-ever race. Newcomers include 43m Ravenger, 35m Shamana, and the smallest of the superyachts at only 24m Umiko. The number of team entrants changes from year to year but the electric atmosphere never fails to deliver. 

Away from the racing, spectators and competitors alike can expect a fabulous offshore programme filled with glitzy award ceremonies, cocktail parties, and dockside events that add to the social scene surrounding the regatta. Those in town for the regatta can soak up everything this Spanish island has to offer. Whether you are interested in participating in the Superyacht Cup as part of the regatta charter, or you prefer to watch from the sidelines, the marina and regatta have everything to suit your needs.

Those looking for a place to stay while attending the regatta have a wealth of choices. The superyacht cup Palma works alongside local company Shorebase Logistics to offer an accommodation reservation service. Their extensive database of hotels, apartments and Villas in Palma and the surrounding areas provides a wide range of options for everyone’s requirements. 

The luxury four-star Hotel Saratoga is a flagship hotel built in 1962 and was the first urban hotel built in the heart of Palma city. The hotel’s premium suites are the most luxurious rooms on offer. Their sophisticated design and elegant character offer guests a truly sensational and relaxing stay while their deluxe double rooms provide the perfect combination between design and comfort. Each with its own balconies you’ll have urban views over the city. There are two different styles; one more elegant and sober typical of a cosmopolitan environment, the other more refreshing, providing a true Mediterranean calm.

For the ultimate luxury overnight experience, there is no place better than Hotel Convent de la Missió. The building was erected in the seventeenth century to educate missionaries, but having undergone a careful renovation it is now an exclusive boutique hotel where elegance blends with serenity to create a tranquil and harmonious experience for all its guests. The former refectory of the convent has been delicately turned into the Art Bar which features work from contemporary artists from multiple disciplines. The space allows you to admire artwork whilst enjoying a refreshing cocktail. The exclusive wellness centre provides the ultimate relaxation experience with a sauna, indoor pool, and relaxation room as well as a solarium with hammocks and a pool on the upper terrace. 

The bedrooms are all tastefully decorated in light tans to create a place of elegance and luxury while being calming and welcoming to all guests. From double rooms to exclusive suites there is a space you can call home once you’ve explored Palma and enjoyed a fun-filled day at the Superyacht Cup. Their magnificent luxury suite is decorated in understated elegance and features a truly remarkable terrace complete with a private steam room and whirlpool.

The superyacht cup isn’t just about racing, it’s about the gathering of people and enjoying the many wonders that Palma de Mallorca offers. Not just in the sights and pristine beaches but also in their culinary delights across the city. There are several Michelin star restaurants offering a mix of intimate and fine dining. 

One of the top restaurants well worth a visit, especially if staying at the Convent de la Missio, is the wonderful Restaurant Marc Fosh Palma. The restaurant offers creative Mediterranean Michelin-star cuisine by British Chef Marc Fosh. Located inside an old convent this modern and trendy restaurant serves delicious food made from fresh local ingredients. It’s the ideal place for food lovers in search of quality meals in a space marked by beauty and harmony. Decorated in black and white tones with a large terrace it’s the place to be for lunch or dinner.

Located in one of Majorca’s most acclaimed locations, the prestigious Michelin star Es Fum restaurant offers intimate dining for evening guests. The restaurant is known for its exquisite tasting menus made from only the freshest local produce. Savour the art of delicate flavours and elevate your experience in the outdoor terrace with views over lush gardens and the Mediterranean sea to complete the experience. It will be a truly remarkable experience for everyone.

Hotel Saratoga offers three unique culinary experiences. From the ground floor gastro bar serving a range of Mediterranean inspired cuisine to the Blue Jazz Club on the seventh floor which serves up an exceptional gastronomic experience with a carefully selected menu of a la carte dishes. But that’s not all the hotel has to offer. Take a lift up to the top floor of the hotel, to Sky Bar,  a place of sensation, boasting glorious 360-degree views of the Mediterranean and the Puerto de Palma while sampling signature cocktails and delicious wine from the highest point in the city of Palma.

Once you’ve had your fill of the luxury superyachts, there are many other recreational activities on offer. Go snorkelling and diving in the azure waters around Palma de Majorca or take a hike on many trails around the island. Keen golfers can play a game at one of the eleven standard golf courses across the island or charter a boat yourself for a day and explore the island’s remote caves and get a real feel for life at sea.

Whether you are looking to take part or watch from the sidelines, the Palma Superyacht Cup is an event you can’t afford to miss. Enjoy glitzy award ceremonies, cocktail parties, and dockside entertainment with some of the most prestigious superyacht owners in the world while living the thrill and excitement sailing brings to all those involved.