After 9 years of existence of PalmaVela the Maxi yachts come back once again to be one of the main protagonists of this International regatta. The International Maxi Association, IMA has comprised PalmaVela in its annual Racing calendar for 2012 as well as for the Wally class.
The IMA also has designated PalmaVela 2012 as the Mediterranean Championship for the “Mini Maxi”, boats with boat lengths from 18 to 22 metres. This designation is certain to attract a nice number of owners and may increase the number of entries up to 7 to 8 Mini Maxis turning up for PalmaVela.
NEWS AND DEBUTS
PalmaVela, is the event chosen year after year, by many yacht owners or event organisers to present their new yacht or their new Racing circuits. Such is the case of the TP 52 fleet, now that the Med Cup circuit has been cancelled for this year, will be coordinated by the Class Manager, Rob Weiland in a new circuit.
PalmaVela will be the first meeting for this fleet which gathers: Container, RAN, Synergy, Matador and Quantum, although some more teams are expected to join. Guillermo Roemmers, the legendary Argentinian owner of the Matador saga, will take its’ debut with his new TP52, who will compete the whole season under the colours of Audi, Azzurra and the Costa Esmeralda Yacht club.
Another novelty for this years PalmaVela Edition is the one design class, Soto 40 will take PalmaVela as a training event for the European circuit. 5 yachts already have registered for the event, amongst of which, the latest winner of the now extinct Med Cup, the boat IBERDROLA of Agustin Zulueta, and the debut of Andres Soriano who has already participated in other editions of PalmaVela with his Mini Maxi, Allegre.
J-Class sailing yacht LIONHEART
Another important debut in PalmaVela, is the first participation of a J-Class sailing yacht Lionheart, for the first time to sail in the bay of Palma. The J80 one design class counts on six entered yachts at present, amongst which, the latest winner of the 30 Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre, Jose Maria Van der Ploeg. The classic fleet counts on one of the most beautiful boats, the 35m superyacht Moonbeam IV.
The dinghy classes, always present in PalmaVela, count on 6 Dragons at present and 12 to 15 Flying Fifteens are expected to enter. The disabled sailing sponsored by the Obra Social La Caixa and Handisport, will provide the competition with two different classes this year, Dam 5.5 and Access.
QUALIFYING EVENT
PalmaVela is a qualifying event for the Spanish Championship for Classic and Vintage yachts and for the Northern Mediterranean National Championship for the Cruisers in ORC rating.
RACING AREAS AND MOORING
Four racing areas will be laid in the bay of Palma for all the entered yachts in PalmaVela. The moorings will be distributed by boat lengths; the big boats such as Maxis, Mini Maxis, Wallys and TP 52 will be allocated in the N00, (gas station pier in the RCNP). The rest of the fleet will be moored around the club house.
