All set for the start of the 19th edition of PalmaVela with over 100 boats and 20 nationalities

(l-r) José Ramón Crespí, David Echauri, Miguel Pastor Jordá, Carles Gonyalons, Javier Sanz, Alejandra Vanolli, Joana María Adrover, Fina Santiago, Emerico Fuster, Xabier Ramis and Miguel Sánchez-Cuenca © María Muiña / PalmaVela

The first major event of the Mediterranean racing calendar was officially launched on Wednesday with the presentation of the 19th edition of PalmaVela to the press.

During the official act held at the Real Club Náutico de Palma, the tenth edition of the PalmaVela trophy collection was also presented, which in 2023 has been created by the artist Miguel Sánchez-Cuenca, "Capi."

The first day of competition kicks off on Thursday at 13:00h, with the big boats taking to the water.

On Wednesday 3rd May, the terrace of the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP) was home to the official presentation of the 19th edition of PalmaVela. At 13.00h local time, the event, which this year will host over one hundred teams from twenty different countries, divided into fourteen categories, was presented to the press. Racing begins on Thursday morning with the first competition for the Maxi fleet.

The official act was attended by Emerico Fuster, President of the RCNP, Miguel Pastor Jordá, Director of the Fundació Mallorca Turisme (lit. Mallorca Tourism Foundation), Fina Santiago, councillor of Social Affairs and Sports for the Balearic Islands Government, Carles Gonyalons, General Director of Sport for the Government, Xabier Ramis, General Director of Maritime Transport, Joana María Adrover, councillor for Safety in Palma Town Hall, and Javier Sanz, President of the Real Federación Española de Vela (lit. Spanish Royal Sailing Federation.)

Manuel Fraga, Director of the RCNP, offered the opening words to welcome and thank the guests on behalf of the club,

"Thank you for making it possible for us to continue enjoying this sporting event for another year. The figures speak for themselves: the true magnitude of this regatta. We have over one hundred teams from twenty different countries and close to 1800 sailors, alongside the 200 people who are working at the event both on the water and inside the club."

The club president Emerico Fuster added,

"From the very beginning PalmaVela has meant the return of the big boats to the Bay of Palma, as well as the gradual incorporation of the latest One Designs and racing yachts. We can now say that it is an event that has been firmly established within the Mediterranean regatta calendar. The organization of international regattas is one of the functions of the club, within its role to promote the sport and show commitment to our local region.

This year is our 75th anniversary. We are a true heritage for the community, a strategic operator of the port and an essential player in generating social dividends through the sport. I would like to take the liberty of highlighting the real value of what we do and recognising that it is what makes us what we are."

The Councillor for Social Affairs and Sports in the Balearic Islands Government, Fina Santiago concluded the act by affirming,

"The positive influence of this club is undeniable, and from within the Department we hope to see such a valuable contribution to our autonomous region for many more years to come."

Ten years of fusion and art in PalmaVela

The act also included the official presentation of the PalmaVela Trophy Collection, which this year celebrates its tenth edition with the work of artist Miguel Sánchez-Cuenca "Capi."

The artist, a former sailor, trainer, and established meteorologist, who has worked in several editions of the America's Cup, the Olympic Games and many other major sporting competitions, is well-known for his varied work with oils and a particularly Mediterranean colour palette. In the works presented for the new edition of PalmaVela, a special focus has been given to the asymmetric spinnakers, which have been brought to life through dynamic forms and volume created with a striking splash of white on blue and green backgrounds.

"Creating this collection has been extremely satisfying for me. When the club told me they were interested, we created a line of work based on one of my paintings, and I think they have turned out really well. I am very happy with the result and people are giving me positive feedback," explained the artist.

Thursday, first day of Racing

On Thursday, PalmaVela will see its first day of competition; a fleet that this year brings together over one hundred boats, and 1800 sailors from twenty countries in the different racing categories.

The Maxi fleet with nine boats lining up on the start line, will be the first into action and racing takes place from 13:00 onwards, with the first of the five races programmed for the event. The rest of the fleet begin their competition on Friday, with the exception of the ORC A 2 class that begins on Saturday in the first of their two coastal races.

Currently predictions are showing a week of winds averaging between eleven and fifteen knots in the Bay of Palma, which promises a spectacular sight of the fleet over the four days of competition.

Find out more at www.palmavela.com.