The fabulous Mediterranean island of Mallorca is currently hosting an amazing fleet of 26 Oyster yachts, participating in the popular Oyster Palma Regatta, starting today. Sailors coming from Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Brazil, Spain as well as the United Kingdom. This year’s Oyster Regatta is the 30th event in the Oyster Regatta series and the eighth taking place in Palma.
2012 Oyster Palma Regatta - Photo credit: martinezstudio.es
Oyster Yachts has a strong presence in Palma with two separate offices dedicated to sales, brokerage and charter and customer service and support. The prestigious Real Club Náutico is the host venue for the regatta and 12 different examples of the distinctive Oyster range are dockside. Oyster owners, their families and guests are looking forward to an exclusive sailing event blended with fabulous parties at some of the island’s best locations.
Andrew and Sussane Lock will be racing their Oyster 54 sailing yacht Pearl of Persia, at their first Oyster event. The couple left England in May and after competing in Palma, Pearl of Persia will head west, bound for Antigua to join the fleet of 28 Oysters taking part in the first Oyster World Rally.
“This is not just our first Oyster Regatta it is the first time we have ever raced.” Commented Andrew Lock. “I believe that by racing we will improve our sailing skills and understanding of the yacht. I am especially delighted to welcome on board Oyster staff and their partners, I am sure we will learn a lot from them over the next few days. The Oyster World Rally is going to be a fantastic experience but our adventure started months ago; we have sailed from the UK to Palma and soon we will cross the Atlantic Ocean, so we will have completed a lot of sailing miles before we start the rally.”
Preparations for today's start in Oyster Palma Regatta - Photo credit: martinezstudio.es
The Oyster Regatta Palma programme includes three days of racing in the spectacular Bay of Palma and further afield to the ancient town of Andraitx. Oyster regattas are organised exclusively for owners and their guests and besides well-managed racing, the fleet benefits from Oyster’s renowned customer service and technical support, provided by experienced Oyster staff and their regatta partners; Dolphin Sails, Lewmar, Pantaenius, Pelagos Yachts, Formula Marine, Raymarine and Reckman.
The dockside at the Real Club Nautico in Palma is a hive of activity, as owners and crews meticulously prepare their yachts for the Concours d’Elegance judging. Fabulous social events are a key feature of every Oyster Regatta and tonight the Real Club Nautico will be a fitting venue for a welcome cocktail party and barbecue supper on their impressive terrace, flanked by the magnificent Oyster fleet.
Racing starts today with a coastal race finishing at Club de Vela, Andraitx, followed by an exclusive wine tasting and paella supper party at the beautiful Bodegas Santa Catarina in the hills above Andraitx.
