Superyacht Cup - Historic J Class fleet to compete

by Kate Branagh on 24 Apr 2013 When four of the J class yachts elected The Superyacht Cup Palma as their first European regatta of the 2013 season, Hanuman was scheduled to sail from the Caribbean to the Pacific, but after her spectacular performance in St Barth's, they have decided to head back across the Atlantic and on to the Mediterranean. This will be the first time five of these historic yachts have raced together in Europe, ever.

Hanuman was built by Royal Huisman Shipyard and launched in 2009 for owner Jim Clark. Helmed by double Volvo Ocean Race winner Ken Read, they took four wins in in four races in St Barth's, an impressive result in this highly competitive fleet. The racing was tactical, close and intense, where every maneuver showed gains and losses between the boats. In preparation for their 2013 racing Hanuman underwent a full optimization programme directed by Read and is now listed for sale with Superyacht Cup sponsors Y.CO.

Palma this year will have a tremendous fleet of yachts, combining the most competitive and experienced campaigns with the more Corinthian cruising sailors, 'Our boss just loves the Palma regatta, he invites all his friends and family, they have fun out on the water enjoying the beautiful sailing in the Bay and admiring the other yachts, then they all join in the fun in the beer tent straight after racing, what can be better!' commented one of the Captains returning for the third year.

There are currently 18 registered entries so it is likely there will be two classes for the superyachts in order that the more similar yachts sail against each other. In the early years of the Superyacht Cup all the yachts raced together but now with such vast ranges of designs and speeds of these yachts it is far safer and more fun for yachts to be in smaller groups to race each other. More trophies hopefully means more happy Superyacht Cup