The 13th edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua (SYCA) was held in fantastic conditions off the South Coast of Antigua with Tradewinds ranging from 13-20 knots. Five days of racing were held rounding deep water and inshore marks, making full use of Antigua’s ocean swell and stunning coastal vistas.

Swan 90 Freya at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua Photo: Claire Matches

Each evening, themed event nights, all set in historic Nelson’s Dockyard, give an opportunity for crews to meet up and party in a laid back environment, free from commercial endorsements. While superyachts race to win their class, there is no mathematical overall winner. Each competing yachts, and the race committee, cast one vote for the yacht that has competed in the Spirit of the Regatta, both afloat and ashore. The winner lifts The Gosnell Trophy.

Boom Restaurant & Pool at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua Photo: Claire Matches

The Adela crew with the Gosnell Trophy at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua  Photo: Claire Matches

The 2024 edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua, the Gosnell Trophy, was presented by Arthur & Page Gosnell. Voting was unanimous, the winner was the 182ft (55.5m) Dykstra schooner Adela skippered by Greg Perkins.

“We bought Adela in 2020 and we have not been able to race her due to Covid, so Adela has been out for four years.” commented Adela’s owner. “This is the first time I have been in this environment and it has been fantastic. The spirit of the team, their passion, the history, and the philosophy of Adela is wonderful. This has presented my kids with the opportunity to be here, surrounded by beautiful people who work as a team and look for the same goal: everyone protects each other. I am very proud to have the chance to be with Adela. I hope to be back many times in the future.”

108ft (33m) Hoek designed sloop Namuun at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua Photo: Claire Matches

The Rebecca Trophy was awarded to the 108ft (33m) Hoek-designed sloop Namuun, skippered by Tom Aiken. Toby Allies & Mike Carr from Pendennis Shipyard presented the trophy to the regatta debutant on St. Patrick’s Day. Namuun is based in Antigua but has more than a sprinkling of Irish sailors on board. Toby Allies congratulated the organisers for running a safe and memorable regatta and commended Namuun for their great attitude to racing.

The 218ft (66.45m) Dykstra/Reichel Pugh ketch Hetairos at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua Photo: Claire Matches

Privateers Class

The 218-ft (66.45-m) Dykstra/Reichel Pugh ketch Hetairos, skippered by Graham Newton, was a spectacular sight at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua. Capable of hoisting over 6000 sq.m. of sail area, Hetairos can sail as fast as the wind at just about every point of sail. She started her campaign by winning the stand-alone Round Antigua Race and went on to win all four races of the series in her class. Adela was runner-up.

Team Hetairos at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua Photo: Claire Matches

Ashore the Hetairos team enjoyed all of the parties; At the Famous Cook-Off, Hetairos won the Best meal according to theme Pirates of the Caribbean and a special mention as in true camaraderie spirit they lent their flint to the Zig Zag crew to light their coal pot. Hetairos skipper Graham Newton also picked up the prize for the loudest Caribbean men’s shirt at The Caribbean Night!

“This is Hetairos owner's favourite regatta, and he has been coming to Antigua since 1972,” commented Hetairos skipper Graham Newton. “The venue and the history of Nelson’s Dockyard plus the atmosphere of the regatta because it is so laid back with a great Caribbean vibe. On top of that is the racing! The courses and the conditions are challenging, which is what all of the Hetairos team loves.”

Swan 90s Freya and Hummingbird cross tacks at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua Photo: Claire Matches

Corsair Class

Two battling Swan 90s had a fanatic duel throughout the Superyacht Challenge Antigua. Hummingbird, skippered by Josh Hill, and Don Macpherson’s Freya enjoyed intense racing throughout. It also had close racing with the 110ft (33.5m) Malcolm McKeon sloop Zemi skipped by Hjalmar Winbladh. Don Macpherson’s 90ft (27m) Swan Freya, competing in their fourth regatta, showed impressive boat handling and determination to win the Corsair Class. Freya won every race, but it was far from easy, with pressure throughout the four-race series.

Team Freya at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua Photo: Claire Matches

“Great racing and good fun,” commented Freya skipper Joph Carter. “The owner is happy and we sailed the boat clean and the event was so good! Antigua is Freya’s base, our spiritual home. We have raced this regatta for years without winning our class, so it’s nice to get the monkey off our back. This is not a commercial event, but we have a good crew of sailors and it really is a memorable one to win.”

110ft (33.5m) Malcolm McKeon sloop Zemi at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua Photo: Claire Matches

Swam 90 Hummingbird showed great pace to take runner-up in the Round Antigua Race and during the regatta, Hummingbird was the best starter for the entire fleet, averaging just 4 seconds short of the line. The Hummingbird team were taking part in their first regatta and like Freya and Zemi, joined in all of the shoreside festivities.

Oyster 82 Zig Zag at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua Photo: Claire Matches

Buccaneer Class

John McMonigall’s Oyster 82 Zig Zag, skippered by Carl Raynes, was competing in their eight regatta in a row, and are two-time winners the Gosnell Trophy. Competing this year against the 108ft (33m) Hoek designed sloop Namuun, skippered by Tom Aiken, although the two boats are very different, the boat-to-boat on the water was very close. The Zig Zag crew was the youngest team in the regatta, as well the only crew with as many women as men sailors aboard. Zig Zag completed a faultless score line for the Superyacht Challenge Antigua. Namuun was runner up.

Sadly Zig Zag owner John McMonigall was not on board but he really wanted to be here,” commented Zig Zag skipper Carl Raynes. “We have tried to do the regatta as if John was here, and we have had video calls with John all the time, keeping up the Spirit of Zig Zag.”

Team Zig Zag at the Superyacht Challenge Antigua Photo: Claire Matches

Ashore Zig Zag take their partying to another level! Winning at the Cook-Off for best dressed crew according to theme Pirates of Caribbean, and best lighting of the coal pot. Zig Zag was also the best dressed team for the Caribbean Night!

Superyacht Challenge Antigua Race Committee Photo: Claire Matches

The Superyacht Challenge Famous Cook-Off and Caribbean Night are always a colourful affair with Superyacht owners, guests and crew enjoying fabulous dining and entertainment in Nelson’s Dockyard. Where do you see a regatta race committee dressed in loud shirts? It has been suggested that the Protest Committee should have kept their shirts on for protest hearings but there weren’t any!

The Superyacht Challenge Antigua Prizegiving was held on the Lawn at the Admiral’s Inn, Nelson’s Dockyard. Master of Ceremonies was PRO Hank Stuart; a fabulous affair with winners receiving tumultuous applause from their rivals as well as Barrels of Rum suitably filled.

Superyacht Challenge Antigua co-founder Stan Pearson Photo: Claire Matches

Superyacht Challenge Antigua co-founder Stan Pearson was present in spirit throughout the regatta. Stan sadly passed away just a few weeks before the start. After his burial at sea flanked by superyachts, a memorial was held in Nelson’s Dockyard with hundreds of the sailing community in attendance. Stan will always be remembered for his tremendous work, love and enthusiasm for sailing. A deep water mark ‘Stan’ has been named in his memory. Three cheers were given Stan at the prizegiving and the whole of Nelson’s Dockyard heard it.

Superyacht Challenge Antigua co-founder Paul Deeth has confirmed the dates for the 14th edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua, which will be held 04-11 March, 2025.

The Superyacht Cup Palma, one of the most prestigious superyacht regattas in the world, is set to welcome a fleet of impressive vessels from June 19 to 22 this year. The event, held annually in Mallorca, Spain, has always been known for attracting both repeat entries and new participants. With the America's Cup starting nearby in Barcelona just a few weeks after Superyacht Cup Palma, the western Mediterranean is well placed in 2024.

The 28th edition of Europe's longest-running superyacht regatta is already happy to welcome a trio of first-time entries to the benchmark event.

For the 2024 edition, organisers of the Superyacht Cup Palma have announced the arrival of three new superyachts to the fleet. The 32m Namuun (ex-Simba) from Turquoise Yachts, the Pendennis-built 40m Hoek Truly Classic Halekai, and the 28m ketch Tawera (ex-Catalyst), a Ron Holland Design from Alloy Yachts NZ, are sure to grab the attention of sailing enthusiasts around the world. 

"We have known about Superyacht Cup Palma for many years and have looked forward to being able to be a part of what is clearly a great regatta," said Tawera's owner, Mike Mahoney. "Now that we are here in the Mediterranean, it is simply too good an opportunity to miss out on, so we will see you on the start line!"

In addition to the new arrivals, defending Cup holders Rose and the Swan 100 Onyx are set to challenge each other once again. Other rivalries set to resume include Velsheda and Svea, while Rainbow, a J Class yacht that successfully defended the 1934 America's Cup, is also expected to join the fray after undergoing major Dykstra refit.

J-Class Velsheda returns to The Superyacht Cup Palma in 2024

The 2024 Superyacht Cup Palma is also set to welcome Pendennis Shipyard back as a Gold Sponsor after the shipyard supported the event in previous years. "We’re excited and pleased to be back and supporting the 2024 Superyacht Cup Palma. It’s fantastic to see a number of yachts taking part this year that have either been built at or refitted by us at our Falmouth, UK yard or technical service centre in Pendennis Vilanova, Spain," said Toby Allies, Managing Director.

Nautor Swan has introduced the Swan 100, their latest addition to the Swan Maxi Family, in Monaco.

The unveiling took place at the Yacht Club de Monaco during this year's Swan Maxi Talk, which was moderated by journalist Clare Mahon and featured notable personalities such as Nautor Swan President Leonardo Ferragamo, naval architect Germán Frers, and architects Lucio Micheletti and Misa Poggi.

The Swan 100 is described as "a fusion" of Nautor's extensive experience in constructing racing and cruising yachts, with its full carbon fibre construction and performance-oriented design.

The bow of the Swan 100 is straight, with a low bowsprit for easy sail handling and safe anchoring, while the low coach roof is located behind the mast for a balanced yet aggressive look with a long, clean foredeck area

The Swan 100's hull lines, designed by Germán Frers, are an evolution of the previous Swan Maxis. The bow is straight, with a low bowsprit for easy sail handling and safe anchoring, while the low coach roof is located behind the mast for a balanced yet aggressive look with a long, clean foredeck area. The opening transom serves as a combined beach club and toy storage area, which is a pivotal element of the onboard lifestyle.

"I work more closely with Nautor Swan than ever before, never making a revolution, but always an evolution to maintain the brand's heritage," naval architect Germán Frers stated.

The Swan 100 is a remarkable addition to the Swan Maxi Family and is expected to set a new benchmark in the sailing industry.

Pellegrino's shipyard unveils its latest Arcadia model, the A96, at the superyacht boat show in Monaco this weekend.

Measuring 29 metres, this exquisite yacht will be showcased alongside other opulent and luxurious large yachts, providing an unmatched opportunity for enthusiasts to see the latest models.

The original model has already gained immense popularity, with two units sold to date.

The boat show in Monaco has become the ideal venue to exhibit this mega vessel and attract potential worldwide buyers (including Irish ones) seeking their next dream yacht.

Based in Antalya, Turkey, Ares Shipyard has unveiled its new superyacht brand 'Ares Yachts' at this week's 2023 Monaco Yacht Show.

Originally founded in 2006 by the Kalafatoğlu family, which is bolstered by a long tradition of shipbuilding and sailing, Ares Shipyard has built a reputation for its naval, utility and support vessels – having delivered over 230 vessels to more than 15 countries to date – and is now looking to expand further into the luxury yachting arena.

With the official announcement of the brand taking place in Monaco, Ares Shipyard has, in fact, quietly been working on yachting projects for some time.

Projects include the 61.61-metre steel hulled cruising ketch Simena (pictured above) that is currently in build. The project is penned by Taka Yacht Design and Design Unlimited.

She features a carbon-epoxy superstructure, all-aluminium masts and rigging design by Chris Mitchell. With her power provided by hybrid propulsion, Simena has a top speed of 15 knots and a cruising speed of 11 knots, with the vessel’s delivery scheduled for December 2024.

Ares Shipyard also has the 50-metre motor yacht Spitfire under construction. The 499 GT vessel has been designed in collaboration with Lateral Naval Architects and Bannenberg & Rowell Design. It has hybrid propulsion, enabling the motor yacht to reach a top speed of 23 knots

Known as one of the largest steel, aluminium and composite boat builders in Southeast Europe in terms of its facilities, Ares Shipyard boasts an enclosed, expansive, air-conditioned production area spanning 40,000 square metres and a workforce of over 450 individuals. Primed and ready for custom yacht building.

The Jamacian-flagged superyacht Kaos is moored off Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Dublin Bay this morning, having arrived overnight from London.

The 110-metre superyacht sailed up the Thames in London after a mammoth transatlantic passage from Miami at the end of May.

She set out on the almost 4,000 nautical mile journey, stopping just once en route in the Azores.

With Dublin Bay looking more like the Mediterranean, Kaos arrived into the Irish capital's waters on the hottest day of the year. The KAOS yacht can accommodate 30 guests in 15 cabins, including an owner’s suite, four VIP suites, and ten guest suites Photo: Afloat

The yacht arrived off Dun Laoghaire Harbour on a flat calm morning and is anchored offshore in one of Dublin Port's ship anchorages.  

A tender has been coming and going from Kaos this morning.

Superyacht Kaos moored on Dublin Bay as seen from the south shore of Dublin Bay at the Forty Foot Bathing Place Photo: Afloat

According to Boat International Magazine, the yacht changed hands in 2018, with a last known asking price of €275 million at the time of sale. The subsequent refit saw UK-based firmReymond Langton take over the styling, undertaking a number of modifications to reflect the new owner's tastes.

Prior to the refit, the yacht's interior was styled by Sam Sorgiovanni.

The yacht has remained largely private since the refit. She had an 8.5-metre pool on the aft deck alongside a 14-seater dining table and a main saloon spanning 135 square metres.

Superyacht Cup Palma has taken in more entries since the recent publication of the Notice of Race detailing the 27th edition of Europe's longest-running superyacht regatta, which offers a new 90ft Class this year aimed at smaller performance-orientated cruiser-racers.

Among those set to join the 21-24 June festival of sail on the Bay of Palma are the 33m Ribelle, the Dubois-designed world cruiser Miss Silver, and the Swan 80 Umiko, with Dark Horse, also a Swan 80, expressing interest.

"With these latest additions to the fleet, we are optimistic that we will see at least ten superyachts enjoying fun and competitive racing here in Mallorca this June, and maybe a few more," said SYC Event Director Kate Branagh.

"It is also wonderful to once again welcome back our highly valued and long-standing sponsors and supporters, not least our Preferred Hotel Partner, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and the St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, host venue for the Owners' Summer Barbecue, a highlight of the SYC social scene."

At least ten superyachts will be in Mallorca this June Photo: Sailing Energy

Destination Partner New Zealand, alongside Silver Partners or Friends of the Superyacht Cup, including Astilleros, Pantaenius, Hill Robinson, RSB Rigging Solutions, North Sails, Baltic Yachts and Hoek Design, is also returning.

"In 2022, we were able to celebrate renewing our long-standing and highly valued relationship as Preferred Hotel Partner with The Superyacht Cup Palma, and we look forward to doing so again in 2023," said Candice D’Cruz, Vice President & Continent Brand Leader for Luxury, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. "The traditions, legacy and exclusive service that St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, offers is a perfect match with Superyacht Cup Palma, one of the most exclusive events Mallorca has to offer."

It is a view strongly echoed by Nigel Fyfe, New Zealand's ambassador to Spain, who said: "Superyacht Cup Palma has provided the perfect opportunity to highlight our country's unique attractions, and New Zealand is proud to have been Superyacht Cup Palma's Destination Partner for seven years in a row. It is a relationship we look forward to continuing into the future."

Out on the Bay of Palma, the new 90ft Class offers exciting racing alongside the classic Superyacht Class and long-established Corinthian Spirit Class, which offers fun, competitive racing without the need for race optimisation.

Meanwhile, the elegant and modern Ribelle ­­– last seen at SYC in 2017 when she finished runner-up in Class A – will face a close rival in her 33m McKeon-designed and Vitters-built stablemate Pattoo (ex-Missy), who took Class A last year on countback.

The Nautor Swan brand is further represented by the Swan 100 Onyx (ex-Aquarius Alfa, Flying Dragon II), which will be making her debut appearance at SYC.

And out to renew their long-running rivalry will be the J Class yachts Svea and Velsheda, though sadly, Lionheart has withdrawn from all racing in 2023 and will not now be attending SYC Palma.

This year, many of those taking part will be berthed at the prestigious Real Club Náutico de Palma, SYC's long-standing race management partner located in the vibrant heart of the Mallorcan capital.

There were Irish celebrations at St Barths Bucket Superyacht Regatta in the Caribbean at the weekend when the part-Irish crewed WinWin won its class over three days racing in 20+ knots conditions.

On board, the 33m superyacht from Ireland was Timothy Goodbody (tactician), Simon Johnson (crew boss) and bowman Cian Guilfoyle.

Winds were strong for the three races in which WINWIN took two wins. "It gets pretty hectic on these big boats in those kinds of conditions", Johnson told Afloat.

As regular Afloat readers know, Guilfoyle and Johnson are regulars on the 44Cup circuit, and Timothy Goodbody Junior is a 2008 Irish Olympic sailor in the Finn class.

The St Barths Bucket Regatta is an annual boat race held in Saint Barthélemy, in the Caribbean. It is usually held in the month of March.

Today’s largest sailing superyachts are so much a world unto themselves that they lead a sort of independent and supra-national existence. The name of Argentine-born designer Juan Kouyoumdjian (an ancestor was Armenian) may be best known in Ireland for his direct creative connection to George David’s Rambler 88. But in terms of big boat development, Rambler 88 is now history and small with it, while of late Juan K has been working in conjunction with Kinsale-based designer Rob Doyle on some decidedly large-scale projects.

In fact, they’re on such scale at 54 metres LOA that it’s difficult to grasp their size, particularly when you know they’re going to step just one cloud-piercing mast which will be well north of 130 metres in height. That will inevitably restrict their cruising areas, as there are many major sea-channel-spanning bridges which they won’t be able to pass under. But at the moment, there seems to be something of an arms race in the top stratum of sailing superyachts to have the boat which can list the largest number of non-negotiable bridges. So as far as the Argo 54 is concerned, that’s all right then.

His design decisions affect budgets of many millions – Rob Doyle at work in his Kinsale office

The beautifully-made aluminium hull was launched last week in the heart of Dutch suburbia, and with consummate skill was negotiated down a canal seemingly no wider than the River Dodder in Dublin, until more open water was reached and the voyage to the completion yard in Greece could get under way.

The new Argo 54 hull afloat for the first time. The locations of some of the leading Dutch boat-building facilities can be surprisingly suburban – can you imagine coming upon something like this in the middle of Sandymount?

As we said, it’s not so much international as supra-nationals, and at next week’s METS in Amsterdam, the movers and shakers in this extremely rarefied world will be getting together to negotiate superyacht deals for sums significantly larger than the GNP of some of the smaller Polynesian island nations. And in the midst of it all, there’ll be Kinsale brains and talent at work, moving way-out dreams along the first steps towards reality.

“Meanwhile, right beside Sandymount Green…..” No matter how you look at her, the Argo 54 is a serious biggie

At the 2022 Monaco Yacht Show, the Dutch builder U-Boat Worx will review designs for the 1,250-ton, 37.5-meter Yacht Submarine, the Nautilus. Once it is built, the vessel will be equally at ease functioning as a yacht or a submersible.

Since Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea came out in 1870, people have been dreaming of a luxury yacht with dive capabilities. Since then, inventors produced a lot of impressive concepts. Unfortunately, not one of these designs has ever been realised.

Being the world leader in the market for small submersibles, U-Boat Worx has now finally succeeded in engineering a realistic combination of luxury and safety in a fully certified private submersible.

The diesel-electric Nautilus has a depth rating of 200 meters, with a surface cruise speed of 9 knots and an underwater speed of 4 knots. Once ordered, an owner can expect to have their Nautilus delivered within 30 months.

When functioning as a boat, the Nautilus offers a massive sundeck equipped with a freshwater pool, a bar, and a luxurious dining table. This al fresco arrangement is retracted before the submersible slips below sea level.

A newly invented, completely pressure-resistant electrical tender is stowed under the Nautilus’s aft deck and will stay outside while diving. This tender, the Aronnax, may also be used for transporting five scuba divers underwater to the intended dive spot.

The diesel-electric Nautilus has a depth rating of 200 meters - the cruising speed is 9 knots. Onboard facilities include a bar, a pool, lounge and dining room, four luxury guest cabins, a spacious master bedroom, and a galley. There are ten four-metre wide windows offer an exceptional view of the underwater world

The Nautilus interior features a 50 sq. m dinner and lounge area with four circular windows. Each with diameters close to 4 meters. The proposed design for the submarine has a master bedroom and four staterooms, as well as sleeping quarters for up to six crew. A fully equipped galley makes cooking an underwater meal simple and fun. However, interior layouts are fully customisable by the client.

Nautilus Fact File

• Nautilus is a 1,250-ton, 37.5-meter vessel
• It can function as a yacht or a submersible
• The diesel-electric Nautilus has a depth rating of 200 meters
• The cruising speed is 9 knots
• Onboard facilities include a bar, a pool, lounge and dining room, four luxury guest cabins, a spacious master bedroom, and a galley
• Ten 4-meter-wide windows offer an exceptional view of the underwater world
• The Nautilus has a starting price of € 25 million

The superyacht submarine will be able to stay underwater for up to four days. At cruise speed, the underwater endurance is six hours.

When not in use, the Nautilus can be docked at any quay that can accommodate its 6.5-meter draft.

The Nautilus has a starting price of € 25 million.

“People that have decided to buy a yacht will now have to consider if their vessel of choice can also dive down to 200 meters,” says U-Boat Worx Chairman and Founder Bert Houtman. As an added bonus, the Nautilus easily combats seasickness. “If the sea becomes too rough,” says Houtman, “You simply dive and continue your voyage in comfort. With the Nautilus, the yachting market will never be the same again.”