Maximus sets Ibiza JoySail Mallorca to Ibiza race record

Superyacht racers who have been heading to Ibiza JoySail have always had the opportunity to attempt the record from Punta Cala Figuera, Mallorca to Tagomago island Ibiza. However, until this 2024 edition of Ibiza JoySail, these records have been set in 'race' conditions and the records have been relatively modest.

But for 2024, with the regatta offering four instead of three days of coastal racing, the Mallorca to Ibiza record for a Perpetual Trophy has become an 'added value' challenge for all registered entrants. The organisers have now opened an opportunity so that crews can now carefully choose their own time window to dash between the beautiful Balearic Islands any time at 30 days before Ibiza JoySail racing begins.

It was with this backdrop that on Friday last week, Maximus, the 195ft German Frers built by Vitters in Holland, created a new Ibiza JoySail record for the passage completing the 48-nautical mile passage in 3hours and 31 minutes having kept a close look out for the best weather window, mustering the 24-strong crew in Palma, late on the Friday afternoon.

The afterguard of Maximus shared opinions with the team on what would be a good opportunity weather-wise, and they saw a potential weather window developing, so kept a close eye on it.

Maximus sets Ibiza JoySail Mallorca to Ibiza race record - photo © Photonautic

Lars Loftus, who was the skipper of Maximus for the record, continues:

"As we drew nearer all the models started to differ and we nearly pulled the pin, but one model we had moderate confidence in showed a good chance, so we took it.

"It was a bit tricky as we started, as we had to wait for the sea breeze to get killed off by the gradient breeze, so we waited for a couple of hours and eventually started early evening, in fairly light conditions. We did wonder if we might have started a bit prematurely, however we then sailed into the steadier gradient averaging 14k on the way across - so were able to make up for the lighter winds at the start. The boat went sublimely, and we had the code zero up as we raced across the line - it was a lovely run across."

"We are now back in Palma and the team is very much looking forward to Ibiza JoySail in a couple of weeks. It will be a first time for me as skipper and being able to compete against boats close to our size will be really nice. Added to that, four days of racing instead of three, is a real bonus."

For the 19 other boats registered for Ibiza JoySail, the window to look to break the time set by Maximus remains open, closing at midnight on Thursday 19 September.