Fifteen iconic Oyster Yachts took part in the Oyster Palma Regatta from the 4 to the 8th September.
The fleet of luxury blue water cruising yachts, ranging in size from 50ft to 90ft in length, took part in a series of different race formats over the four days. The racing, run in true Corinthian spirit, was managed by Oyster Yachts’ in-house team who ensured that the racing was fun and fair for all racing abilities.
The competitive fleet included six newly launched Oyster Yachts, four of which will be taking part in the next Oyster World Rally, a 16-month global circumnavigation that starts in Antigua in January 2024.
“Events like the Oyster Palma Regatta are important ahead of the Rally as it has given us an opportunity to meet other Oyster owners that are doing the Rally, but also bring the crew closer together and put the boat through its paces in a fun competitive environment. The last time we raced was 18 years ago in an x332 in Poole harbour!” Commented Gabby Covill, owner of the recently launched Oyster 745 Mexican Wave.
The biggest class saw the Oyster 885, one of the largest yachts in the Oyster fleet, with four further yachts – Babiana, Achenar, Ayni and Lush – racing against each other. Babiana was only launched in 2022 but came out of the blocks with enthusiastic speed winning her first race on day one. “It was a brilliant day. Super good fun. We had the right conditions and a great crew onboard with us. We had a great time racing with the other 885s and are looking forward to the results,” said James O’Rorke, Oyster 885 Babiana Skipper.
This was the first year that the Oyster Palma Regatta was based at the Philippe Starck designed Port Adriano. One of the most modern marinas in the Mediterranean, the facilities at Port Adriano provided an exceptional base for the Oyster Yachts fleet.
Also taking part in the racing were three Oyster 495’s – Tuga, Mayflay and Suzanna. The highly acclaimed Oyster 495 model won the 2023 European Yacht of the Year.
This year Oyster Yachts is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and held a dinner at La Terraza in the marina of Port Adriano to mark the occasion. It was an emotional evening giving owners the opportunity to reflect on the past, present, and future. The event included speeches from Richard Matthews on the origins of Oyster, David Braben spoke about the Oyster owner experience, while Richard Hadida and Ashleigh Highfield spoke about the future of Oyster Yachts. “Oyster’s achievements in 50 years are too numerous to mention. But one thing is certain, our reputation is built as much on our quality of build as it is on the special memories and life-changing experiences that our owners have enjoyed,” commented Richard Hadida, Owner, and Chairman of Oyster Yachts. The guests toasted Oyster Yacht’s 50 years with Glenturret whisky and enjoyed a screening of a special Oyster 50-year film.
Friday evening saw the final prize-giving ceremony with Anyi, an Oyster 885, lifting the prestigious Oyster Cup – the 120-year-old Trophy that is presented to the winner of the Oyster Cup Pursuit Race.
In keeping with Oyster Yachts’ drive for greater sustainability across all elements of their business, this 46th Oyster Palma Regatta was run as a Clean Regatta to minimise its impact on the environment. The event, which won the prestigious Platinum Clean Regatta Award in 2022, followed stringent guidelines to help protect the water and ecosystems around Mallorca, including water refill stations to minimise the use of plastic bottles, reduction of paper waste through an electronic events app, and all surplus food donated to local charity, Yachting Gives Back, which helps to alleviate the problems of hunger and poverty in Mallorca.
All participants were also encouraged to support the Save the Med Foundation, whose mission is to enable the Mediterranean Sea to recover its rich biodiversity and thrive in harmony with prospering, environmentally conscious and proactive local populations.
