Racing the Balearics: Ibiza's exclusive regatta

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Welcome to Yacht Charter Market, the weekly newsletter dedicated to the world of yacht charter.

In today’s newsletter:

• Top story: Racing the Balearics: Ibiza’s exclusive regatta

• Top charter updates: Explore the Mediterranean onboard Anne, onboard explorer yacht Akiko, 25% off chartering Deep Blue II, Odyssea takes you to Papagayo Peninsula, a Greek autumn onboard Möbius, prolong your summer onboard Pereakki 

• UAE Pavilion: Exclusive Charter Broker Event at the Monaco Yacht Show, powered by the UAE Pavilion

• Charter Spotlight: YachtWorld: It feels illegal just watching My Pink Shadow

TOP STORY

Racing the Balearics: Ibiza’s exclusive regatta

Celebrating its fifth anniversary is JoySail, an exclusive, invite-only regatta taking place off the shore of the world-famous White Island, Ibiza. During a four-day window, superyachts sail the azure blue waters of Ibiza and Formentera to compete in one of five categories.

During the first-ever JoySail race, the regatta only had four sailing yachts and one competition category. Five years later, the race has 22 yachts competing across five different categories.

There is a sixth, optional category called the Perpetual Trophy. While this race is not an official part of the regatta, only its participants can compete for the trophy. With multiple attempts allowed, sailing yachts have a 30-day window to cross the 48-nautical-mile crossing between Punta Cala Figuera (Majorca) and Tagomago Island (Ibiza) to try to set a record time. In the 120+ yacht category, the current record holder is Maximus, the 59-metre Vitters sailing yacht, who covered the distance in 3 hours and 31 minutes. In the 100+ yacht category, the record is held by Gelliceaux, also achieved in 2024.

From August 16th up until today, sailing yachts have been racing to set the best time and hopefully beat Maximus’ record from 2024. The four-day regatta will commence tomorrow and last until Sunday, September 21st. Results of both the regatta and the Perpetual Trophy will be announced this Sunday.

Beyond the competition on the water, a regatta also needs a destination that offers quality on shore. Marina Ibiza, the regatta’s home base, brings together all the right ingredients: first-class gastronomy, a vibrant cultural and social scene, and a wide range of accommodation. A unique setting that makes the island the ideal stage for JoySail.

To provide quality in all areas, the regatta has been invite-only from the start. Director of Ibiza JoySail, Nacho Postigo, shares how the event prioritises providing quality over quantity. “We want to make sure that we don’t have too many people and that we can offer good quality food, entertainment, and especially very good quality of racing on the water.” Plenty of yachts have asked to participate, even if they don’t get a space in the harbour. Yet this isn’t the experience the JoySail organisers want to create, “we don’t think that will give them the whole experience, and we don’t want two different speeds of attendance,” says Nacho.

Sailing for the Perpetual Trophy

While the regatta’s main racing categories are very straightforward and less weather dependent, the Perpetual Trophy requires detailed insight into the weather and water conditions. Covering the 48-nautical-mile course between Majorca and Ibiza, sailors look for the ideal weather window to have a chance at beating the record. 

The 36-metre Gelliceaux is hoping to set a new record time. Last year they set a time of 4 hours and 4 minutes, just a little over half an hour slower than Maximums. The owner and captain are in touch daily on weather and sea conditions and whether the owner should fly down to Ibiza to see his yacht victorious. In this fifth edition of the regatta, other superyachts such as the 34-metre sailing yacht Aurelius and the 30-metre L’Hippocampe will also attempt the crossing.

An exclusive attendance

As JoySail is an invite-only event, the question is, who gets invited? First and foremost, all yachts from the previous year get an invite. All 18 yachts that participated in the regatta in 2024, were invited again, yet a handful are unable to attend this year. 

Once the returning superyachts had secured their places, the Ibiza JoySail organisation began reaching out to other interested yachts, who quickly confirmed their participation. To ensure commitment, the regatta requires an administration fee when registering. 

Until now, the regatta had set a maximum of 20 yachts. However, anticipating the possibility of a last-minute withdrawal, the Ibiza JoySail organisers invited two additional yachts, bringing the total number of participants to 22. With 12 returning and 10 new entries, this edition promises to be quite a show — with all 22 set to race!

Attending the JoySail regatta this year are: All Smoke, Ammonite, Aurelius, Cervo, Esense, Ganesha, Geist, Gelliceaux, Jasi, Karibu, Kiboko IV, L’Hippocampe, Liberty Squared, Magic Blue, Moat, Morgana, Namuun, Nostromo, Open Season, Shambo, Spiip, Viento.

MYS Spotlight: Exclusive Charter Brokers Event

24 September | 16:00 - 18:00 | 1st floor terrace of the UAE Pavilion

SuperYacht Times is pleased to be co-hosting an exclusive Charter Brokers Event on the UAE Pavilion, during the Monaco Yacht Show. Taking place on Wednesday, September 24th, this event is designed to spotlight the unique opportunities that the Emirates present to the global charter market.

The Charter Brokers Event aims to enrich brokers regarding the growing profile of the UAE as a world-class charter destination. Hosted by the SuperYacht Times, a dedicated panel session from 16:45 - 17:00 will feature representatives from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and MYBA, who will share fresh perspectives on the region’s potential and how it’s aligning with evolving client demands.

The SuperYacht Times looks forward to welcoming charter professionals to look at how the Emirates are shaping the future of global yachting. Canapés and beverages will be provided during the networking session following the panel.

To register for the event or more information, please email: [email protected]

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