Everything You Need To Know About Superyacht Regattas
Rich in history and renowned for its prestigious reputation, the international regatta circuit has long fascinated the superyacht world. The camaraderie and competition between the yachting community come to the fore within these exciting events, held worldwide throughout the year.
A range of yachts participate in the regattas, from classics to iconic J-class boats and modern superyachts. The events have evolved, growing in accessibility while maintaining their elitist reputation.
From the legendary and long-running to the relative newcomers, we have put together a comprehensive guide on what you need to know about regattas:
What Is A Regatta?
Whether participating or enjoying the atmosphere as a spectator, a regatta is a series of races involving a range of sailing yachts. The events bring together skilled sailors and impressive yachts within amazing worldwide yachting destinations, creating an incredible and adrenaline-fueled atmosphere.
The categorization and divisions of yachts in regattas consider an array of factors such as hull type, size, age, and sometimes build type, such as the J Class and Wally Class races. These differences ensure that yachts of similar capabilities are placed against each other for a more level playing field.
A Brief History
There are a whole host of regattas held worldwide and have been running for various lengths of time, depending upon the specific event. The creme de la creme of races, where the history starts, is the prestigious America's Cup. Hailed as the longest-running international competitive sailing event, the famous Cup began in 1851, and this year's edition is being held in Barcelona. Various regattas have been initiated since; the longest-running in Europe is the Superyacht Cup, first held in 1996 in the yachting hub of Palma, Mallorca. On the opposite side of the world is the oldest Southern Hemisphere regatta, the New Zealand Millennium Cup.
There are other regattas best known for their popularity. The first St Barths Bucket resulted from a casual conversation between yacht owners discussing the best sailing yacht design back in 1986. Years later, this popular regatta, with an impressive number of superyacht entries, not only welcomes a range of yachts but also donates a proportion of the entry fee to charities. Then there are the events that are renowned for their glitz and glamour. The former Loro Piana, now Giorgio Armani regatta, is a highly competitive superyacht regatta hosted in the exclusive Costa Smeralda, and this year will be the 15th edition.
More events have been added to the racing circuit in recent years, from well-established and highly popular regattas to these newcomers. The most recent is the inaugural Cyclades Cup. IYC is proud to announce it will be one of the main sponsors at this new event, which will be hosted in Antiparos in Greece from June 14 to 16.
From the first ever events to today, a lot has changed. While the passion and companionship remain, there have been considerable developments in yacht racing design and improved navigation technology and software, with an increased emphasis on performance optimization.
The Locations
Regattas are held in various locations around the world during the sailing season, often in yachting hotspots that help promote the sport and typically serve as the opening or closing of a season. For example, Les Voiles de Antibes marks the beginning of the Mediterranean regatta season on May 29, while Les Voiles de St Tropez is being held on September 26 as the season draws to its close.
From the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, the US, Australia, and New Zealand regattas are a true global spectacle. In addition to the seasonal circuit, there are those held year-round, such as the around-the-world races like the Oyster World Rally.
Who Takes Part?
The races welcome both first-time boats and veteran competitors. While the events attract passionate racing enthusiasts, they also now cater to those seeking a more casual competitive experience. Yachts often recruit race crew for specific events, with regattas seeing highly professional sailors helm the key positions alongside the yacht's usual crew. A core value of the regattas is the sense of teamwork that can be witnessed throughout, all with the primary goal of winning.
The Superyacht Racing Association plays an integral part in regatta evolution. Since they launched the 'Corinthian Spirit Class,' this new category has been aimed at race newcomers, opening the doors to a wider audience and encouraging increased participation.
The Winning Team
For the winners there are multiple types of trophies awarded at the end of a regatta. There are also accolades dependent upon the race and category. Although the Superyacht Challenge in Antigua defies the norms, and rather than awarding a traditional trophy, the winners receive barrels of rum, apt for its Caribbean hosting.
Aside from the racing, the post-event celebrations are not to be missed; true to the superyacht lifestyle, these regattas end in style within the location with plenty of exclusive parties..
Whether you are a keen sailor wanting to participate or a spectator looking to get onboard a yacht for charter to partake in the incredible regatta atmosphere, contact our consultants at IYC. They can help recommend yachts and destinations for any regatta. We have also put a list of the best regattas and race dates that should be on your 2024 calendar.
Photos by https://www.millenniumcup.com/ , Renan Brun on Unsplash , redcharlie on Unsplash , Bildstockru Master on Unsplash .