Inaugural Ibiza JoySail Regatta - Day 1
by Ibiza JoySail 15 Oct 11:53 PDT
14-17 October 2021
2021 Ibiza JoySail Regatta - Day 1 © Nico Martimez / Martinez Studio
Bliss, the well sailed, well travelled Dubois designed YD 120 leads the inaugural Ibiza JoySail regatta after the first day of competition, a 40 nautical miles passage round the beautiful island of Formentera, a hidden jewel of the Balearic islands which has rarely featured on a Superyacht or Maxi yacht race course.
Full of anticipation the Ibiza JoySail fleet headed out from Marina Ibiza ready to take on the first official day of coastal racing at this exciting new sailing event.
The mythical Es Vedra island off the South West tip of the island of Ibiza served as the perfect backdrop at the startline, as the fleet prepared to race around Formentera, the course unfolding all the best of Autumn colours that the stunning coastline has to offer.
Dark Horse were the first to answer the start gun, followed by Bliss, and the Swan 115 pair Shamanna and Moat sent off at two-minute intervals by the Race Committee. With the breeze picking up, it was the newly acquired Moat on their first race outing together, that set the pace for the day, with the crew's tactician opting for a more inland option from the start.
At Barbaria lighthouse, which stands at the southernmost point of the Balearic Island and Formentera, it was Moat still leading the charge. Shamanna were on the hunt and after executing a quick sail change at the corner, they were able to bring the boat back up to 12 knots to close the gap once again. Onlookers watched in awe at the natural viewpoint, as the fleet rounded the lighthouse one after the other, Shamanna and Moat locked close together.
While Dark Horse fell out of touch with the front group, all was certainly not lost as the crew enjoyed every moment of sailing in this little, lesser known corner of paradise, taking in the beautiful turquoise waters and the dramatic and imposing cliff faces of the area.
On a boat which raced successfully in many international regattas as Highland Fling 15, Moat's new crew proved an equally great combination. The new owners and the team have taken well to the boat, with the crew sailing her past Isla Espalmador and Isla Espardell and across the finish line to take line honours ahead of Shamanna.
Juan Vila, Spain's America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race winning navigator, racing on Moat at Ibiza JoilSay explained, "We had a great day on a lovely boat in great conditions. It was nice to be racing here on a big boat like this, very different to racing on the likes of the TP52s which I was here with many years ago.
"We started two minutes after Shamanna and sailed up to them and passed but we had a good race in a wind which was maybe 10 to 11 knots to start with and built to 14 knots, dropping to maybe 10 in the lee of the island which you had to watch. The owner did a good job steering and all in all it went well considering that it is the first race together." he added.
Despite Moat crossing the line first, it was Bliss that took handicap honours having sailed an excellent race. The Dubois designed YD 120 now currently leads the Ibiza JoySail regatta ahead of the second day of racing tomorrow.
For now the coastal adventures turn to onshore celebrations as the fleet get together in Ibiza to celebrate the day's racing.
For more information visit www.ibizajoysail.com