21st Sandberg PalmaVela kicks off tomorrow with the spectacle of the Maxis
by Alejandro Varela 1 May 04:27 NZST
30 April - 4 May 2025
21st Sandberg PalmaVela - `Magic Carpet` © María Muiña
Over one hundred teams representing 19 nationalities will gather in the Bay of Palma for the first major multi-class event of the season: the 21st Sandberg PalmaVela. The impressive Maxis will be the first to take the stage, with racing scheduled to begin tomorrow at 13:00.
Everything is ready at the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP) for the second act of the 21st Sandberg PalmaVela, the multi-class event that this year brings together over one hundred teams from 19 countries. Following the conclusion of La Larga, the Bay of Palma is now preparing to welcome the largest boats with the debut of the Maxi class, featuring a fleet made up of two majestic Wallys, a Botin 65, a Mylius 60 FD, a Mills V68, and the brand-new Verdier 100 "Magic Carpet".
After a winter during which many teams take time to fine-tune their boats or race in the Caribbean, spring brings them back to the Mediterranean. For many, the Sandberg PalmaVela marks the first major regatta of the European season.
"'Magic Carpet' is the most loyal of all — if possible, she never misses the event. And while we'd love to have more boats, we are definitely grateful to the IMA [International Maxi Association] for including us in their calendar, with both La Larga in the Maxi Offshore Challenge and the multi-class event in the Inshore series," said Vivi Mainemare, RCNP's sports coordinator.
The conditions offered by the Bay of Palma and the facilities at RCNP are also an added value: "The bay is a spectacular place for training and testing equipment. The teams also feel very comfortable at the club — they really appreciate the peace and convenience here, as well as the experience and professionalism of the staff", Mainemare added.
In addition to the two teams that already competed in La Larga — Jean Pierre Barjon's "Spirit of Lorina" and Robert Szustkowski's "R6" — and Sir Lindsay Owen's "Magic Carpet", the fleet will also include Sven Wackerhagen's "Rose", Andrés Varela's "Pelotari Project", and the Wallycento "Tilakkhana II" from Gamageo Yachting, former "Magic Carpet".
In total, the Maxi fleet is scheduled to complete up to six races — two coastal and four windward-leeward — with the first warning signal set for 13h00 tomorrow, Thursday.
The rest of the fleet, including the various ORC divisions, A2, Spirit of Tradition, and the one-design classes 6 Metre and Dragon, will join the action on Saturday, bringing together more than one hundred boats competing in the Bay of Palma.
Find out more at www.palmavela.com