completely in order to tack, it's taken into account in your rating. They don't need to change their configuration as this is where ORCsy comes in – there's no reason to take anything off as you are declaring everything, and it is built into the system.’ The groundwork for the SYRA-
inspired initiative has in some respects already been successfully completed in the form of the already established Corinthian Class, which has been on offer at Superyacht Cup Palma for several events. Introduced alongside the core Superyacht classes – which groups yachts of similar predicted performance together – the non-spinnaker Corinthian division allows for far smaller crews, with the owner's family and friends front and centre. ‘There are quite a few owners
who are used to cruising with family and friends, and every year we get visitors to SYC who are just blown away that this kind of event even exists, and they had no idea,’ says Branagh. And with the exception of adding
one or two experienced sailors familiar with the nuances and safety rules of superyacht racing, Branagh points out that ‘your permanent crews cross oceans and are perfectly capable of leaving the dock, hoisting sails and racing around a triangle’. Also, the Bay of Palma offers a gentle introduction to the world of competitive racing, with inflatable buoys marking out the racecourse rather than islands and rocky outcrops. As Branagh says: ‘It is an easy entry and is addressing the barriers that stop people taking part. There are literally dozens of yachts here in Palma that are eligible and either could do it or have done it before – so what do SYRA sanctioned events need to do, collectively, to get them involved?’ While the messages aimed at
the cruising side of the superyacht family is being put in the spotlight, Superyacht Cup Palma continues to appeal to the broadest possible church and is introducing a 90ft Class for the 2023 event. This new class addition is focused on the numerous cruiser-racers in the 80 -100ft LOA rating range who are already racing actively. ‘There are clearly a lot of
performance-orientated cruiser- racers out there, like Swans, Southern Wind yachts and others, who are already racing and are not interested in pursuit-type races, so we will offer them competitive fleet starts,’ said Branagh. While SYC continues to thrive, attracting regular competitors, newcomers, and the J-Class year after year, the event owes its
Top & above: some crews in the fleet are fully professional teams; others are mainly amateur. But most are somewhere in between
success to its ability and openness to adapt to the times and to the wishes of owners. The event has set itself an ambitious target in broadening its market appeal, though attracting new entries to the long-running event is not a completely unexplored area. Consistently over recent years the fleet has more or less divided itself into equal thirds – one third being regular SYC participants, a second third less frequent returnees, and the final cohort first-timers. To date the prospective entry for
the 2023 festival of sail is developing along broadly familiar lines. Leading the line are the 2022 J-Class returnees Velsheda and Svea who will this year be joined by Lionheart,
last seen at SYC in 2014 when she took three race wins – including a dead heat finish – to win her class. Also set to return for a second-
year running is the 33m McKeon- designed Pattoo, while taking its place in the first-timer category is the Swan 100 Onyx (ex-Aquarius Alfa, Flying Dragon II). Meanwhile, SYC 2023 will see
another development with part of the fleet able to dock at the Real Club Nautico de Palma (RCNP). A long-standing SYC partner since taking on the race management in 2011, RCNP was the host venue for the event last year and owners, captains and crews will be delighted to be returning there once again. ‘Having the yachts together is great for the owner's experience, it makes a big difference and creates a fantastic atmosphere,’ says Branagh. ‘Those unable to berth at RCNP will be offered a place at the Club de Mar marina, a five-minute tender trip away’, she added. Superyacht Cup Palma has come
a long way since it was established in 1996, and the SYRA conference suggests the journey is far from over for superyachting events globally. ‘If there was one reason people
didn't join these events it would probably be easier to resolve, but it was clear that there are many, many reasons – so our job now is to clear those blocks," Branagh states. ‘We are creating a real
opportunity for yacht crews and captains to say: “well what about our boat?” – making it clear to the owners how easy it is to get involved, without the need for days of optimising, it is a straightforward message we aim to get out there. Superyacht racing is open to all and fun for everyone.’
www.thesuperyachtcup.com
❑ SEAHORSE 73
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