Starting signal for the 22nd PalmaVela

A total of 12 classes and around 20 countries represented will compete in the multi-class regatta, which runs until Sunday in the Bay of Palma.

Sandberg PalmaVela lifts the curtain on its multi-class regatta this Thursday in the Bay of Palma, with the entry into competition of the large yachts and the first ORC classes. Following the conclusion of La Larga, the sporting programme of the 22nd edition continues with around 100 boats across 12 classes, with about 20 nationalities represented.

The first to compete will be the Maxis, once again one of the main highlights at the start of the regatta, with a fleet made up of the Wallycento Tilakkhana II, defending champion, the Wally 80 Rose of Sven Wackerhagen, helmed by Benjamin Potter, and the Pelotari Project of Andrés Varela, with Gabriel Juan as skipper. The class may complete up to seven races, combining coastal courses —with at least two scheduled— and windward/leeward races.

“We are very pleased with the participation and the teams that have come. Even the owner of Tilakkhana has told us how happy they are to be here and that they feel at home,” said Vivi Mainemare, Sports Coordinator of the Real Club Náutico de Palma.

Alongside them, the ORC 0-1 and ORC 2 classes will also begin racing today, sharing a format of up to seven races with at least one coastal race. In ORC 0-1, standout entries include the Spanish Navy’s Aifos, helmed by Jaime Rodríguez Toubes, the Aproperties Blue Carbon, the Elena Nova of Christian Plump (RCN Palma) and the Hydra-HM Hospitales of Mike Price, among others. In ORC 2, the fleet will feature regular contenders such as the Viking IX of Erik Tejedor (RCN Palma), the Magica of Marco Corno (CN El Masnou) and the Histolab of Juan José Torres.

The rest of the fleet will join from Friday with the start of racing for the TP52, ORC 3, ORC 4-5, ORC A2, ORC Sportboats, Espíritu de Tradición, Dragon and Flying Fifteen classes, completing one of the most comprehensive editions of Sandberg PalmaVela.

“We have a good forecast for the coming days and we’re really looking forward to it. Everything is ready at the club to welcome more than 100 boats, and tomorrow the show begins,” added Mainemare.

With the Bay of Palma as its stage, and following an opening phase marked by the offshore race, the competition now enters its most numerous and diverse stage, further consolidating Sandberg PalmaVela as one of the key events of the season and a qualifying regatta for the ORC Mediterranean Circuit and the IMA Mediterranean Maxi Offshore and Inshore Challenge.

The first warning signal is scheduled for today, Thursday April 30th, at 01:00 P.M. in the Bay of Palma.