Dear Islander,

I hope all our readers are managing to enjoy some time out on the water and escaping the intense summer heat. We are taking every opportunity we can to enjoy the perfect water temperatures and picnics at anchor. Just what the Med is all about !

Last month saw a vintage 20^th Anniversary Palma Superyacht Cup, with the added dimension of the Big Classics day on the Wednesday. For me , this was the highlight of the week, and we were lucky enough to have Alice Widdows, our very own Classics expert, and Stuart Pearce, one of the Island’s leading photographers on board our RIB. We had a great day, and the sight of eight of these beautiful yachts really was a great treat.

Alice had the unenviable task of choosing a yacht to win the Concourse D’elegance, not easy when all eight yachts are so stunning. Shenandoah was the eventual winner, and with an amazing navy blue hull finish showing a perfect refection of the water, she was a worthy winner. See Alice’s column in this month’s edition to read all about the wonderful week, sailed in perfect conditions making for some champagne sailing.

Congratulations to Win Win, and her crew who are a local Palma based yacht who were convincing winners of the overall Cup.

The next major regatta, The Mapfre Copa del Rey, will be in full flow as this issue hits the docks at the beginning of August. Around 120 yachts from over 18 countries will compete in the eight classes, including, for the first time, the GC32 Catamarans, which should make for a spectacular sight in the Bay of Palma.

Conceived by Amsterdam-based French businessman Laurent Lenne and designed by Dr Martin Fischer, the GC32 is a 10m long (12m including bowsprit) by 6m wide foiling catamaran, that is one of the world’s fastest racing yachts. It is aimed at both pro-sailing teams and private owners looking to experience the latest in ultra-high performance racing and a level of sailing boat technology – albeit simplified – typically only available to America’s Cup teams. This is the first time we have seen foiling cats racing in Palma, and I can’t wait to be out on the bay witnessing their awesome speeds and spectacular handling.

The charter season is clearly in full swing and we have seen some of the world’s larger yachts in our home waters recently, including the 140 mtr Ocean Victory, who was moored around the island for a couple of weeks. Judging by how busy the water is, it is clear the charter side of the industry is having a bumper season.

Fair Winds