Superyacht Cup - Borkumriff IV to join Palma line up

by The Superyacht Cup on 29 Apr 2014 The spectacular schooner Borkumriff IV recently confirmed they will join the impressive line up of yachts for this year's Superyacht Cup in Palma. Designed by Dykstra Naval Architects and built by Royal Huisman, she was launched in 2002 from their yard in Holland.

At 51m overall and with a displacement of almost 300 tons, Borkumriff IV is the largest yacht taking part this year. Her Rondal aluminium plate masts are over 50m tall (166ft) and carry Rondal carbon fiber booms and gaffs, towering over her vast deck. Borkumriff IV last took part in the Superyacht Cup in Palma in 2007 where for the first time she raced against her sister ship Meteor who had been launched just weeks before the historic Superyacht Cup (which incorporated the Millennium Cup), where an unbeaten record fleet of 52 superyachts raced in the Bay of Palma.

Many of the fleet have undergone refit work over the winter months, Astilleros de Mallorca in Palma have been working with two of the J Class yachts, Velsheda and Ranger. Velsheda (Dykstra/Camper and Nicholsons) at 38m is the smallest of the Js, she has been out of the water undergoing keel remodeling and deck structure modification while her rival Ranger 42m (Burgess and Stephens/Dykstra Design/Danish Yachts) has undergone a special survey, deck structure modification and fitted new deck hardware, also carried out by Astilleros de Mallorca.

Out of the five Js participating in Palma, only Rainbow 40m (Dykstra and Partners/Holland Jachtbouw) has been racing in the Caribbean over the winter, the others have all stayed in Europe. The competition will be closer than ever this year, everyone looking for improved performance and an edge on their stable mates.

After the successful 2013-season including her impressive win at the Superyacht Cup, Heartbeat 24m (Hoek/Claasen Shipyard) returned to Royal Huisman´s Huisfit in Vollenhove for an interior and exterior cosmetic upgrade over the winter. The work included the production and installation of various new interior sections to re-locate the aft owner's suite to the fore ship. Additional portholes were installed providing extra daylight in the forward part of the yacht and she will return to Palma to defend her title in June.