Maxi yacht racing returned to the Mediterranean with competition at Sandberg PalmaVela, part of the International Maxi Association’s offshore and inshore series. The event, hosted by Real Club Náutico de Palma, opened with the offshore La Larga race before shifting to inshore racing in Palma Bay.
Pascale Decaux’s Tilakkhana II took line honours in the 295-nautical-mile La Larga, finishing in 29 hours, 52 minutes and 31 seconds. The yacht also secured overall victory on corrected time after lighter winds prevented the rest of the maxi fleet from finishing. British sailor Dee Caffari said, “We just snuck in before the sea breeze died out,” adding that much of the course around Ibiza and Formentera was sailed in darkness.
Tight duel: Liberty and Tilakkhana II cross tacks in Palma Bay. Photo: Laura G. Guerra
Wind conditions ranged from 10 to 17 knots before easing to below 10 knots on the return leg to Palma. The race served as an early-season test for Tilakkhana II following winter modifications and a reduced crew of 22, including eight women, such as Olympic gold medallist Támara Echegoyen.
Inshore racing from 30 April to 3 May saw Sven Wackerhagen’s Wally 80 Rose take control after an initial challenge from Tilakkhana II. Rose won four consecutive races, including the coastal contest, to secure the IMA Maxi class title, with Pelotari Project completing the podium.
Tactician Jesper Radich said shifting winds made strategy difficult. “There were massive shifts, and on a maxi you can’t tack too much,” he said. Despite an early crew injury, Rose maintained consistent results across varying conditions, including offshore breezes and tactical inshore racing.
The closest contest came in the coastal race, where corrected times separated the leading yachts by just over a minute after more than three hours of racing. Thunderstorms brought racing to a halt on the final day, with heavy rain and a complete drop in wind across Palma Bay.
The International Maxi Association series continues with the Regata dei Tre Golfi in Naples later this month, followed by the Maxi European Championship in Sorrento.
