The 19th Edition of the renowned Regatta took place from the 3-7th of May in the bay of Palma. Organised by Real Club Nautico de Palma, over 110 boats with 1800 sailors from 20 different countries followed their invitation and competed in 14 classes.
Some of the biggest racing yachts in the world were competing, as this event is part of the 2023 IMA Maxi regatta calendar. Among the competitors was David M. Leuschen’s Wallycento “Galateia”, defending her Maxi Inshore title against Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones’ Wallycento “Magic Carpet 3”, Francesco de Santis’ “Southern Wind”, RP-Nauta100 “Morgana”, Nicolás González’s “Vera”, Benjamin Potter’s Wally 80 “Rose”, and Andres Varela’s “Pelotari Project”.
One design: J80, Dragon, and the premiere of the 6 Meters
The Real Club Náutico de Palma remains faithful to its vocation as a multi-class regatta, the 23 monotypes between eight and eleven fought for the title in real time: J80, 6 Meters, and the Dragons.
Three days of close racing under changing wind to no wind conditions challenged the tacticians. The regatta committee had to adapt and reset the courses accordingly.
The proud winners of the 19th edition of PalmaVela are: Wally 100 “Galateia” (Maxi A), “Stormvogel” (Maxi B), Swan 42 “Elena Nova” (ORC 0-1), “Scamp Three” (ORC 2), “Immac Fram” (ORC 3), “Just the Job” (ORC 4-5), “Finally” (ORC Sportboat), “Smerit” (ORC A2 0-3), “Blaumarina I” (ORC A2 4-5), “Team Balearia RCNP” (J80), “Capa” (Dragón), “Seljm” (6 Metros), “Marigan” (Época) y “Little Thila” (Espíritu de Tradición).
No surprise in the Maxi A class: With 4 wins, Wally 100 “Galateia” from owner Chris Flowers won its class with five points over Wally 100 “Magic Carpet” of Sir Lindsay Owen. The third place went to “Vera”, the former “My Song”, by Nicolas Gonzalez.
Final results: Title defender Wally 100 Galateia strikes with 4 wins
Close racing in ORC 1: Swan 42 “Elena Nova” owned by Christian Plump and Javier Sanz, defended its PalmaVela title after finishing third, tied with Tomás Gasset’s “Urbania”. Thanks to its first place in the opening race, the Swan 42 wins with only half a point advantage over the “Pez de Abril” of José María Meseguer, who climbed from fourth to second place overall. In third place, is Pedro Vaquer’s “Nadir”, which started from fifth position on Sunday.
“A memorable 19th edition,” commented Encarna Matos from RCNP, “Great yachts, good wind conditions and high sailing level made this regatta a success”.
