The 24-metre Wally sailing yacht Rose has successfully defended her title at the Superyacht Cup Palma 2024, becoming the first yacht to retain the overall winner position since Kokomo in 2002. This victory marks Rose as the first Wally to win Europe’s longest-running regatta two years in a row. The racing events, held around the Bay of Palma, featured three classes: J Class, Class A and Class B.
The opening Pantaenius race day on Thursday saw solid conditions with strong winds. Rose led the pack in Class B, finishing ahead of Nautor Swan yacht duo Umiko and Dark Horse, with debutant Calabash securing fourth place. While in Class A, Cervo claimed victory, followed by Maximus and Vijonara.
Friday’s Jaquet Droz race day was unexpectedly cancelled due to a lack of wind in the Bay of Palma, marking the first time since 2007 that racing had to be abandoned. Event director Kay Branagh commented: “It’s a real shame to have lost a day of racing, but we have perhaps been very fortunate over many years.”
The final race, St Regis, brought good conditions with sunshine and a steady 10-knot breeze. Rose secured her second win in Class B, clinching the overall title with a perfect score. Dark Horse finished second overall, followed by Umiko and Calabash.
Rose is based in Palma and helmed by Captain Ben Potter, who expressed his delight regarding the racing: “The whole day was magic, and we could not have asked for better conditions. Of course, it was great to be able to defend our title - we knew we had a lot to do, and the rest of the fleet did not make it easy, but we got away well, and it was just a case of making up time around the course.”
In Class A, Maximus took gold, winning both the St Regis race and the class overall, beating Cervo. Captain Lars Loftus of Maximus said: “Everyone is over the moon; it was fantastic. We had a plan to sail the boat hard and clean, and we stuck to the plan; it was paid off.”
The J Class saw Svea dominate with her third win of the regatta. Svea’s tactician Bouwe Bekking said: “The crew work was good, and the owners did a really special job driving, really smooth.” Velsheda and Rainbow finished level on points, with Velsheda taking the runner-up spot on countback. Despite missing out on second place, Rainbow didn't leave empty-handed, receiving the Spirit of the Event at the prize-giving ceremony held on the terrace of Real Club Náutico de Palma.
The Superyacht Cup Palma 2025 will be held from 25 June to 28 June.