Today’s Race 2 of the Superyacht Cup Palma saw navigators as well as helmsmen face the challenge of sailing through a confused wind pattern formed by the offshore breeze fighting against the afternoon sea breeze resulting in a series of wind pockets around the bay.

Superyacht Cup Palma 2012 Day 2 Credit: Claire Matches

The race start was brought forward from 1300 to 1100 due to the forecasted conditions. With a downwind start, most of the fleet hoisted their spinnakers as they crossed the line and headed down the bay in around 18knots of breeze. But as the offshore breeze met with the sea breeze during the middle of the race, the wind dropped in patches causing a spread of the fleet as the leading yachts were first to find the new stronger breeze.

The sleek sailing yacht Firefly was the first to pick up the breeze and broke away from the fleet to a convincing lead over the finish line followed by charter yacht Atalante, charter yacht Maria Cattiva and last years Superyacht Cup winner Drumfire.

Charter yacht Ganesha competing in the Superyacht Cup Palma 2012 Credit: Claire Matches

Despite the earlier race finish, spirits were high as the fleet returned dockside to a welcome happy hour in the bar.

Steady winds are expected in the bay for the last race tomorrow as the fleet compete for final points ahead of the evenings prizegiving ceremony.

Results – Day 2, 22 June 2012

Class 1
1.    Firefly
2.    Scorpione dei Mare
3.    Charter yacht Highland Breeze
4.    Charter yacht Ganesha
5.    Saudade
6.    Ivanka

Class 2
1.    Charter yacht Atalante
2.    Charter yacht Maria Cattiva
3.    Drumfire
4.    Charter yacht This is Us
5.    Ithaka
6.    Reesle

Cumulative Results

Class 1
1.    Highland Breeze
2.    Firefly
3.    Scorpione dei Mare
4.    Ganesha
5.    Ivanka
6.    Saudade

Class 2
1.    Atalante
2.    Maria Cattiva
3.    This is Us
4.    Reesle
5.    Ithaka
6.    Drumfire