The first ever Ibiza Rendezvous regatta took place this year between the 8-11th October 2014. Launched in June this year, Windfall, Maria Cattiva, Havana, Clan VIII, Aloha-J of Cariba and Silver Spray were welcomed to the exclusive 5 Blue Star Marina Ibiza.
The captain’s and owners were welcomed at the first Skippers Briefing by the Race Committee, made up of Spike Thompson (founder of the Superyacht Cup) Principle Race Officer John Grandy (of the RYS), Jim Teeters (Rating Officer) and Monica Recchia (representing Club Nautico Ibiza) who outlined the racing options for the days ahead.
The ‘Welcome Reception’ kicked off with an Ibiza style dance show to get the party started including drinks and tasty finger food sponsored by Peters & May and Horizon Marine Electronics with the sun setting spectacularly over the Old Town.
The captain’s briefing started at 9.30 the next day with the race committee led by John Grandy. The boats headed out at 11.00 to the Western start area. First boat was away at 13.00, with a Pursuit format, slowest starting first and the fastest last. The course was approximately 20 miles with a steady breeze from the southwest. First over the line was Windfall, with all the boats getting back in time for the ‘Dock Party’. Happy Hour drinks and supper sponsored by Doyle Sails Palma and Global Yacht Services was in full swing by the time the last yacht came in, with the local singer Mimi getting the party underway with her soulful voice whilst guests enjoyed a well earned supper and sipped deliciously chilled Léoub Rosé under the stars, supplied by The Wine Man. The much anticipated fastest Bowline tying competition took place on the dockside and was won by Calvin Champ, living up to his name and winning a free entry to next year’s regatta for Silver Spray.
The next day the second Pursuit Race started with a steady breeze, the course set from Es Cavallet beach, round Isla Espardel and finishing off the harbour entrance. Clan VIII came in first with the last three boats finishing within 47 seconds of each other; Aloha J of Cariba with the two maritime students on board from South Africa sponsored by Marine Inspirations, Peter de Savary´s Silver Spray and, not quite catching them at the line, was the fastest boat in the fleet, the Southern Wind, Windfall. At this point the competition was wide open as any of the top four yachts could have taken the title.
Saturday turned out to be as predicted, light and fluky breezes. With much frustration Jim and John couldn´t get their anemometer readings above what they needed which prompted the race committee to abandon sailing and head off to Malibu Beach Club. Clan VIII were the first to anchor and ashore joined by the rest of the fleet for paella and drinks for a fun afternoon of a different kind. Getting back to the dock perfectly on time for the prize giving by the Mayoress of Ibiza (by the way, not an easy task getting over 100 enthusiastic crew out of a beach club on a Saturday afternoon!). The results were therefore unchanged from Friday, with the overall winner of the first Ibiza Rendezvous regatta Clan VIII being presented the official painting by the Mayoress of Ibiza. After the prize giving and drinks sponsored by Absolute Boat Care on the dockside, everyone dressed up for the final get-together dinner at The Harbour Club on the beach and danced the rest of the night away in true Ibiza fashion, finishing off the evening at the KM 5 Closing Party – a fantastic way to end the season in style!
Overall Winner Results
1. Clan VIII
2. Maria Cattiva
3. Havana
4. Windfall
5. Aloha J of Cariba
6. Silver Spray
Speaking to some of the entrants these are some of the comments received;
Dave Evans, Captain of Clan VIII; Overall Winner:
“It is an honour for all of us on Clan VIII to be the victors of the inaugural Ibiza Rendezvous. The event was enjoyed by owner, guests and crew alike and was, as billed, a return to the ‘fun’ regattas of the old days. Ibiza as a venue can throw a party like no other Island and this one was no exception.
Peter de Savary, Owner of Silver Spray; Winner of the Caricole (snail) shell for slowest racing:
“A wonderful regatta…all the organisation was terrific, the entertainment was marvellous and I shall certainly be back next year and encourage other sailors to join in.”
Nacho,Captain of Havana; Third place
“A really nice way to end the season, see some friends and make some new ones. I hope we can come back next year and have as much fun as we did this year.”
From the Headmaster at Lawhill Maritime Academy regarding Marine Inspirations charity who brought over the 2 students from South Africa to sail:
“What a truly magnificent opportunity that the boys have been given. Besides the fabulous sailing in idyllic conditions, they have also had the opportunity to explore ashore, extensively broadening their horizons to history, to another country and to the yachting world….You have enabled them to transcend their relatively small worlds….and in doing so, you have enriched their lives.”
It was indeed a tremendous effort from all involved in such a short space of time and having great media partners helped spread the word effectively so thanks to The Islander, Yachting Matters, Yachting World and Supersail World. Deckers supplied the IR team and crew with shirts and Marina Ibiza were the perfect host with full support from Club Nautico Ibiza, the Port Authority, Government and Tourist Board. In all, Ibiza welcomed the regatta with open arms and it was a true pleasure to bring the first superyacht event to the island – next year is already shaping up to be a bigger event with six yachts already confirmed. Dates are set for next year October 7th – 10th 2015, open to all yachts 20m+ cruising, racing and classic. Hope to see you there!
Contact: Spike Thompson(+34) 670 722 000
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