Ravenger wins Palma
Competition debut Ravenger has been named the overall winner of the 25th Superyacht Cup Palma.
29 June 2021
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Nilaya and Ravenger have been declared the Class A and Class B winners of the 2021 Superyacht Cup Palma with the latter being awarded the overall 2021 Superyacht Cup title.
Making its Superyacht Cup debut, the 43-metre German Frers-designed, Royal Huisman-built sloop Ravenger snatched a clean sweep of victories in the Class B racing. An impressive performance considering how the vessel had no history of racing pedigree, and that its crew faced limited training time together prior to the regatta.
“The boat right off the bat had great potential but it had never raced before, and I don’t think it had ever flown a spinnaker before,” said Ravenger Navigator Shaun Pammenter.
“So it had the potential but we really didn’t know what to expect going into the regatta. I think the key to it was we had some really good sailors in key positions, most notably Justin Slattery on the bow, Simon Daubney as crew boss, and Stevie Branagh as tactician.
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“Things happened at the right time, we didn’t rush things, we didn’t have any foul-ups, so we got around the racecourse clean, and then on top of that the owner is just a really good driver, just quick in general – life is a lot easier when the owner is so accomplished.
“We are all very, very happy. I certainly hope we will be back next year. The owner has had a great time so I am pretty sure he will want to do some more racing,” he concluded.
Sharing the Class B podium were Ganesha and Baiurdo VI, with Scorpione of London and Aquarius completing the Class.
Taking the top of Class A was Nilaya with its three wins, only missing out on the overall prize due to racing in a slightly smaller class.
“Everyone is happy with the class win of course, that’s always what you aim for,” said Nilaya crew member Bouwe Bekking.
“The competition has been really good and everyone sailed well. Missy is extremely fast upwind, a real weapon, and Shamanna also – we had some excellent racing.
“This year has been very different but I have liked it very much because it’s all about the sailing. Of course the social part is always good, but here we have had the focus purely on the racing, which is the most important thing,” Bekking later added.
Emphasising the tightness of the competition, Missy and Shamanna both finished the racing tied on points, the former taking second place on the countback system. The Swan 80 Umiko, the smallest yacht at Superyacht Cup Palma, also scored its best result of the regatta to claim a podium place in the last race.
Both Shamanna and Baiurdo VI were honoured with the ‘Spirit of the Event’ award from North Sails at the prizegiving ceremony.
“It’s definitely special having a first-timer taking the big prize, great to have a new boat winning, so we are very pleased,” said Event Director Kate Branagh at the conclusion of the regatta.
“All the feedback I have had from the boats has been very positive, so it certainly sounds that everyone has appreciated being able to go racing again and everyone is very understanding of the social limitations and the reasons why we can’t be quite the same as usual.
“The boats themselves have had a sociable time within their group, so instead of being a party for two or three hundred it’s been a party with 25 of your best mates onboard, so they’ve had a lot of fun on an individual basis but just very different to how it normally is.
“We are hopeful of course that next year we will be able to return to the more usual combination of great racing and a vibrant social scene ashore – and we look forward to welcoming back old friends, and having the chance to make new ones.”
Organisers have confirmed that the 2022 Superyacht Cup Palma is currently scheduled to be held from 22–25 June.
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