‘Magic Carpet E’ triumphs in its debut at PalmaVela

In its world competition debut and with six Spaniards among its crew, the British electric yacht has taken the lead in this 21st edition after winning both races held yesterday, April 1, in the Maxi class. Today, April 2, all 11 classes are now competing.

The Maxi class kicked off the competition for the 21st Sandberg PalmaVela yesterday, completing two windward/leeward races in which the latest elite 100-foot Maxi, Magic Carpet E, was the clear standout in its global debut: two races, two victories.

The races started on time at 1:00 PM and were held on Course Charlie—furthest from the Real Club Náutico de Palma facilities—under an easterly wind averaging around 12 knots.

Magic Carpet E won both races—eight and nine nautical miles respectively—with two and four minutes’ lead. Among the 28 crew members are renowned around-the-world sailors and Olympians, including six Spaniards: Xabi Fernández, Ñeti Cuervas-Mons, Willy Altadill, Juan Meseguer, Carlos Hernández, and Miguel Jáuregui.

“The boat is performing well, even exceeding expectations for windward/leeward races, I’d say, so we’re happy,” said Olympic champion and round-the-world skipper Xabi Fernández. “The crew has worked well and the first day went smoothly, winning both races. There’s still a lot to learn about the boat but, again, we’re happy,” added the Basque sailor.

With a fourth and a second place, Wally Cento Tilakkhana II, helmed by Frenchwoman Pascale Decaux and the Maxi with the most women in its crew, holds second place overall, followed by the German Rose, another Wally—this one 80 feet—owned by Sven Wackerhagen.

Starting today, Friday, and continuing through Sunday’s final day, all 11 classes competing in this 21st Sandberg PalmaVela—ranging from large to medium and smaller yachts—will join the fray, with more than a hundred boats spread across the three racecourses set up in the Bay of Palma.

Joining the Maxi class will be the 6 Metres, the classic Espíritu de Tradición yachts, ORC classes 0, 1, 2, 3, 4-5 and Sportboats, as well as double-handed ORC A2 classes 0-3 and 4-5, which will compete in coastal races.

With the start of the ORC races, a new joint initiative will also begin—launched by RCNP, RCN Barcelona, and RCN Valencia—to encourage participation of their boats in ORC events outside their home region: the 2025 Mediterranean Sailing Circuit, which includes PalmaVela, the Conde de Godó Trophy in Barcelona, and the SM La Reina Trophy in Valencia.