Second across the line is Atalante followed by Highland Breeze

Palma, Mallorca 25 June 2012 – A jubilant owner and crew of the 40m Royal Huisman Maria Cattiva
celebrated winning the overall Superyacht Cup Palma 2012 as the event
drew to a close over the weekend. In 2nd place came Atalante followed by Highland Breeze in 3rd.

Taking the stage at the prize giving ceremony on Saturday evening, the owner and crew of Maria Cattiva
owner were awarded the coveted ‘Big Ben Cleat’ and thanked their fellow
competitors for a fantastic week promising to return next year to
defend their title. The yacht was also presented with a beautiful hand
crafted 3D nautical chart of Mallorca supplied by event sponsor Latitude
Kinsale.


Winning crew of Maria Cattiva


The final race of the event on Saturday was delayed
to a complete shift in wind direction from a northerly to southerly
direction. The fleet finally crossed the line as the staggered start
sequence commended just before 1400. Both classes headed upwind to the
first mark in the center of the bay, after which the faster boats in
Class 1 also had to complete an extra reaching leg before rejoining the
Class 2 fleet on the final downwind leg to the finish.

The breeze peaked at 17 knots but remained consistent at around 12-14 knots. It was regatta winner Maria Cattiva that held their position to cross the line first followed by Atalante and Highland Breeze flying their prominent GAASTRA spinnaker.

David Glenn, Editor of Yachting World magazine was also sailing aboard This is Us finishing 3rd in class and 6th overall for the regatta;

“Despite an understandably smaller fleet this year,
SYC Palma was as enjoyable as ever and blessed with near perfect
sailing conditions. Owners and crew warm to this regatta because the
conditions ashore and afloat are conducive to enjoyment for all. What I
was particularly keen to hear was owners expressing their desire not
only to return next year but in years to come, some with firm plans for
new and larger yachts.”

The event closed with the spectacular prize-giving
ceremony on the terrace of the Es Baluard Museum overlooking the bay of
Palma. The event also presented a cheque of €6,000 to the long running
event charity Joves Navegantes who are celebrating their 20th
anniversary this year. Guests enjoyed a magnificent spread of local
food and live music as the sunset drew a close to the 2012 regatta.

For some, however, the racing season continues as
they prepare for the first Superyacht Cup Cowes due to take place from
22-25 July in the UK being held this year as a celebration of the London
2012 Olympics. Currently a 13-strong fleet are expected in Cowes
including the 62m Holland Jachtbouw Athos and the Dykstra/Pendennis 55m Adela, both competitors at the Palma Superyacht Cup 2011.  HRH
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will also be visiting Cowes on 25 July
with a planned parade of sail by the Superyacht Cup fleet.

Overall Results

Overall Winner

1st Maria Cattiva

2nd Atalante

3rd Highland Breeze


Winner Class 1 – Highland Breeze


Winner Class 2 – Maria Cattiva


Yachting World Performance (best starts) – Ivanka

RCNP Seamanship Award – Saudade

Hoek Award – Atalante

Best Fancy Dress – Ivanka


For more information, visit www.thesuperyachtcup.com