Ibiza JoySail Day 1: The event opens with 22 superyachts on the start line

Ibiza JoySail day 1 © Sailing Energy / Ibiza JoySail

Ibiza JoySail, now in its fifth year and firmly established as one of the Mediterranean's leading end-of-season regattas, kicked off today with 22 superyachts racing off the coast of Ibiza.

The opening day saw the fleet tackle a 15-nautical-mile course set by Race Director Nacho Postigo and his committee. Starting north of Ibiza Town, the yachts powered downwind past the iconic rock formations of Es Vedrà before reaching a turning gate south of Esparto.

From there, World Cruising, Performance Cruising XL and Performance Cruising M classes rounded to port, while the remaining three classes rounded to starboard, before the upwind leg back to Es Vedrà and on to the finish.

Ibiza JoySail day 1 - photo © Sailing Energy / Ibiza JoySail

This edition marks a milestone, with half the fleet competing in Corinthian mode - a hallmark of Ibiza JoySail. This year's edition sees half the fleet racing in Corinthian mode, a defining feature of this increasingly popular regatta.

Corinthian racing allows owners to compete alongside some of the sport's most accomplished sailors. Among the 450-plus crew gathered at Marina Ibiza are Olympic athletes, world champions, offshore racers, and many more.

The demand speaks for itself, and the regatta's reputation continues to soar, attracting the very best talent in the sailing world.

Yet organisers emphasise that Ibiza JoySail is more than just elite competition, actively encouraging Corinthian entries. In this way the event can uniquely combine world-class racing against the dramatic backdrop of Ibiza and its islands with a lively social programme, ensuring crews can relax and celebrate after a day on the water.

First across the line in the Performance class was MOAT, and winner of every edition of this event, followed by Jasi some four minutes later - both Frers-designed Swan 115s.

Ibiza JoySail day 1 - photo © Sailing Energy / Ibiza JoySail

In the World Cruising Class, where all four of the yachts in the class are racing in Corinthian mode, the Dubois 100 Nostromo took line honours, while in the Performance Cruising XL, the Swan 88 SPIIP crossed first with the Southern Wind 96, Liberty Squared winning the Performance Cruising L class and the Café Racer Ganesha the Performance Cruising M class.

With three full days still to race, tomorrow's highlight will be the circumnavigation of Formentera, lying just ten nautical miles south of Ibiza.

Results Day One (Provisional)

Performance Class

1. Moat
2. Jasi
3. Morgana
4. Allsmoke
5. Esense (C)

Performance Cruising L

1. Liberty Squared
2. Gelliceaux
3. Kiboko 4 (C)
4. Magic Blue (C)
5. Ammonite II (C)

Performance Cruising M

1. Ganesha
2. Open Season
3. Shambho (C)
4. Viento (C)

Performance Cruising XL

1. SPIIP
2. L'Hippocampe
3. Geist
4. Cervo

World Cruising

1. Nostromo (C)
2. Aurelius (C)
3. Namuun (C)
4. Karibu (C)