Set to kick off with the Gaastra Palmavela in the lovely Mallorca yacht vacation location on April 30, the upcoming Wally Class 2015 season will see the highest number of participants since the founding of the Division in 1999. The Wally Class represents the association of the Owners of Wally yachts, and organises races exclusively between the fast cruisers branded by Wally.
Wally Class start at Menorca Maxi 2014 – Photo by Jesus Renedo
The number of participating yachts will range from nine at the inaugural regatta of the year Gaastra Palmavela (29 April/3May) , to 11 at Menorca Maxi (27-31 May) and Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup (6-12 September), while the record number of 14 yachts will attend the season ending event, Les Voiles de Saint Tropez.
“The increasing number of Wallys supporting the racing division of our brand reflects the booming passion for the sailing competition that has marked super yachting in the last few years – explains Luca Bassani, Wally Class President and founder – Today it’s very common, almost essential, to own a mega yacht and go racing, while when founded the Wally Class in 1999, we were in the fore front, as usual! And I strongly believe that we contributed to this new passion, showing to Owners that comfortable cruising yachts can offer great enjoyment also on the race course”.
WallyCento superyacht Magic Carpet Cube at Palmavela 2013 – Photo by J. Renedo
“A winning formula of our Class since the beginning, is the Owner driving rule, that encourages the Owners to steer their yachts, otherwise they get penalized – continues Bassani -In this way, we prevent the typical situation of the racing circuit when super professionals become the actual Owners of the yacht, confining the real Owners to spectators. In general I think that the big attraction of sailboat racing, compared to many other team sports, is that the Owners are into the action and share the fight.”
The upcoming Wally Class 2015 season will be marked by the new live tracking system, available on the Wally website and on the event monitors onsite. The TracTrac system will gather the race data of each yacht and will provide the standings in corrected time at the marks.
Superyacht Magic Carpet Cubed is the absolute champion of the series, and she will have to fiercely defend the title. The racing will be undoubtedly tough and tight, with highly professional crews and fast yachts on the water. These will include Galma; sailing yacht Genie of the Lamp – that is celebrating 20 years; Inti; J One; Kenora; Magic Blue; Nahita; the newly refitted luxury yacht Open Season, boasting new length, new keel, new sails; Ryokan 2; Sensei; charter yacht Tango G; Tilakkhana and charter yacht Y3K.
