Ibiza JoySail 2024 extends a day and announces exciting news for Palma-Ibiza record challenge

Spectacular image of the superyachts in the Ibiza JoySail 2023 © Nico Martínez

Ibiza JoySail has made even further headway in the racing world by announcing new developments to what is one of the Mediterranean's most attractive and competitive superyacht regattas.

The 2023 edition might well have heralded the participation of the J Class and a new invitation-only format, but the 2024 edition will feature a new racing format that will make the event even more spectacular and captivating.

After the success of the third edition, the Ibiza JoySail organisers — STP Shipyard Palma and Marina Ibiza — have already published the Notice of Race, once again registration is by invitation-only, with the exciting news that next year's event will sail in Ibiza and Formentera waters four days instead of three, from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 September 2024.

The other new development concerns the Palma to Ibiza-Formentera record challenge. In the first three editions, this record was contended on the first day of the race, with the entire fleet starting from Palma Bay and arriving in Ibiza Town, and which has since 2022 been held by Juan Ball's Swan 115 Moat, with a time of 7 hours, 5 minutes and 30 seconds.

For the 2024 edition, Ibiza JoySail has decided to open up the option for yachts to try and set a new record, which will be a separate Trophy.

A 30-day window will open between August 21st and September 19th so that contenders can set sail from Palma at any time, weather permitting, in an attempt to beat Moat's record. And there are already yachts extremely keen to strip Moat of her title.

To get the chance, yachts wanting to qualify for the record will have to give 24 hours' notice to the organising committee, which will provide them with a tracking device and a backstay flag.

Covering approximately 48 nautical miles, the route of the Palma-Ibiza record challenge starts at an imaginary line at the Punta Cala Figuera lighthouse (39º 27.449' N 002º 31.34' E) on a 148ºT bearing from the lighthouse. The finish line will be the Tagomago lighthouse (39º 1.952' N, 001º 38.939' E) on a 148ºT bearing from the lighthouse.

Then, between September 19th to 22nd, the races of the exclusive Ibiza JoySail regatta will be held on nearshore routes in the crystal-clear waters of Ibiza and Formentera.