21st Sandberg PalmaVela Day 3 - Light winds returned to the Bay of Palma again
by Alejandro Varela 4 May 08:08 NZST
30 April - 4 May 2025
21st Sandberg PalmaVela - Rose, new leader in the Maxi class © María Muiña
Light winds returned to the Bay of Palma again but that didn't stop the 11 classes getting new races
The third day of the Sandberg PalmaVela regatta on the Bay of Palma saw a change of leader in four classes. After a postponement on shore waiting for the breeze to build, at 1300hrs the more than 100 teams from 19 countries competing in this edition docked out at the Real Club Náutico de Palma.
Inshore Racing for Five Classes
The Maxi, ORC 2, ORC 3, ORC A2, and Spirit of Tradition classes raced inshore on a shortened course.
The largest boats in the fleet completed 25 nm, with Magic Carpet E no longer participating. Magic Carpet E has withdrawn from this edition to allow for repairs following yesterday's incident with the Spirit of Lorina, which resulted in both being disqualified.
Germany's Rose won convincingly, pulling away by 20 minutes over Palma-based British flagged Tilakkhana II, owned and skippered by Pascale Decaux. However, Rose and Tilakkhana II are tied on five points at the top of the standings, so all eyes are on tomorrow's inshore race for the Maxis, the result of which will be decide the outcome.
The largest fleet, ORC 2 class completed a 13-mile inshore race, after which Windwhisper 44 is even further ahead with her second race win in this Sandberg PalmaVela. Katara and Magica are pulling away in second and third. Minimon, owned by Miquel Matas, remains at the top of the ORC A2 4-5, as is Smerit in A2 0-3.
ORC 3 class has a new leader in Gabrielle Pohlmann's Meerblick, and also Spirit of Tradition, with Little Thila.
A Windward Leeward Race on Course Charlie
A Windward/Leeward race completed the classes sailed today on the Charlie course: ORC 0, 1 and 4-5.
Two TP52s hold first and second place in the ORC 0 standings, with Vudu holding the lead thanks to another victory. They are now followed by Toni Guiu's Blue Carbon - Appropriates and RCN Barcelona, to the detriment of the Irish boat Searcher, which is now third, although tied on seven points with Aifos. The Spanish Navy boat, with Admiral Rodríguez-Toubes at the helm, will seek to break on to the podium at the Sandberg PalmaVela tomorrow.
HM Hospitales-Hyatt are paying dearly for a sixth place in today's race and so conceded the lead in ORC 1, which is now held by Christian Plump's ClubSwan 42, Elena Nova, with just one point advantage over X-Odessa and two points over the boat skippered by Fernando León. Everything is also very open, therefore, heading into tomorrow's final day.
The ORC 4-5 race started shortly after 3:30 p.m. The drop in wind intensity forced the Committee to shorten the race course on the second windward side. Scott Beattie's Just the Job, who has already won PalmaVela four times, took the cake and is the first leader of this 21st edition.
Two races on the Alfa course
The 6 Metre and ORC Sportboat also opened their accounts with two races on the Alfa course, with the imposing Palma Cathedral as a special spectator.
Switzerland, Sweden, and Finland occupy the provisional podium in the 6 Metre, with Dieter Schoen's Momo at the top of the standings thanks to his consistency. The 2022 world champions finished second today in Palma. The Nordic team Filippa and the new Oiva—current European champion, skippered by Henrik Andersin—are second and third, respectively.
A great battle in the ORC Sportboat between the Australian J70 Kangaru, skippered by Kristyn Gills, and the RCNP's Viper Team Balearia, with Balearic sailor María Bover at the helm. The two teams swapped places in today's two races and are tied on three points for first and second place, respectively.
The final champions will be decided tomorrow
Tomorrow, Sunday, the final day of the Sandberg PalmaVela will conclude this 21st edition with the trophy presentation. The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. on the main terrace of the RCNP and will be attended by, among other officials, the President of the Balearic Government, Marga Prohens, and the Mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez.
Find out more at www.palmavela.com