At the 2011 Oyster’s Palma Regatta, the 27th event in the Oyster Regatta series there was a record fleet of 30 Oyster Yachts. The yachts gathered on the idyllic Mediterranean island of Mallorca for Oyster’s Palma regatta, were proudly flying the flags of Brazil, Germany, Holland, Italy, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Oyster Yachts’ Palma Regatta 2011 - Photo Credit Pedro Martinez
Proving the Oyster regattas are as popular as ever with owners, this event showcases 13 different examples of the distinctive Oyster range, from the Oyster 46 sailing yacht to the Oyster 82 sailing yacht. Gathered at the prestigious Real Club Nautico at the heart of the Mallorcan capital, Palma, the Oyster Yacht owners, their families and guests are looking forward to a week of champagne sailing and great parties, shared with like-minded people from the world over.
Richard Smith sailing Oyster 655, sailing yacht Sotto Vento is a veteran of twelve previous Oyster Regattas: “This will be my fourth regatta in Palma but I also love the variety of locations, Sardinia, the British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Antigua, they are all spectacular venues that I have fond memories of. Purely and simply, I really enjoy the Oyster events and that is why I take part. The crew of Sotto Vento are all friends from home, I wouldn’t have it any other way, it adds to the fun and the excitement because we sail the boat ourselves rather than have a professional crew sail the boat for us, for me that is so rewarding.”
In sharp contrast, Michael Jones will be sailing at his first Oyster Regatta on board his new Oyster 655, Blue Horizon of London. Michael and his crew sailed the boat to Palma from the Oyster yard in Ipswich this August, it was Michael’s first experience of offshore sailing. “ I have very little sailing experience and to be honest, I only decided to enter the regatta at the last minute. We have received a very warm welcome and encouragement from the Oyster staff and other owners and crew, everybody has been so helpful. We hope to gain experience this week and learn as much as we can and this is a perfect environment to do that.”
The Oyster Regatta Palma programme includes five races in the spectacular Bay of Palma and further afield to the ancient town of Andraitx on the southwest tip of Mallorca. Oyster regattas are organised exclusively for owners and their guests and besides well-managed racing, the fleet benefits from world-class customer service and technical support, provided by experienced Oyster staff and their regatta partners; Dolphin Sails, Lewmar, Pantaenius, Pelagos Yachts, Formula Marine and Raymarine.
The dockside at the Real Club Nautico in Palma is a hive of activity as crews meticulously prepare their boats for the Concours d’Elegance, with racing in the glittering Bay of Palma scheduled to start tomorrow. Spectacular 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 barbeque supper on the impressive terrace, flanked by the magnificent Oyster fleet.
Below is a selection of images from the Oyster sailing yachts currently in charter
