HUBLOT PALMAVELA, A REGATTA OF PRESTIGE.

The Hublot PalmaVela regatta, to be held from the 15th till the 19th of April, is a reference for Europe´s spring and, above all, for the Mediterranean. Organized by the Real Club Náutico of Palma, it was born as a competition where different kinds of boats could sail together, boats of different ages and sizes, from the big and spectacular Wallys, to the Vintage and Classic or the One Design boats, which are at its peak at the moment. The TP52´s, which count with the most professional circuit, are an example of that.

In just six editions PalmaVela has managed to fill the spectacular bay of Palma with boats every spring.

In previous years hundreds of boats have crossed its waters during this regatta which aims to bring the world of sailing closer to the public at large.

The idea started five years ago at the Real Club Náutico of Palma and has since become a world meeting point of cruisers and dingys, from the smallest to the biggest.

Hublot PalmaVela is not just a regatta at sea. It is also one where participants live together and take part in the different social agendas.

The Maxi Village set for the ocassion hosts different entertainment before and after each race. These include sampling of local products and live music.


BOATS, TACERS, ORGANIZERS.


The Hublot PalmaVela figures are spectacular:

- More than 190 registered boats.
- About 1500 crew members on the water.
- 13 countries represented.
Around 100 people working for the organization, on ground and at sea
30 organization and auxiliary boats daily on the water to cover the event.

No other regatta in Spain mobilizes as many people as the Hublot PalmaVela, which also acts as the perfect shopwindow for a lot of boats, which mark it down on their agendas from the very beginning of the year.

Many sailors await the arrival of the Hublot PalmaVela to start the season. Before the start and at the end of the races different social acts will live it up in the day, with gastronomical tastings of local products. Is there a better way to do it than a regatta which is a show at sea and a big party on ground?


THE CLASSES


There are nine divisions for the different classes taking part. These are divided into six racing areas marked for the occasion

Maxis: Large vessels that suit the requirements of the IMA ( International Maxi Association), and will be distributed among the Regatta Division,Wally, Cruise Division and Mini Maxis like the new Ran II of Niklas Zennstrom or also new Container of Udo Schuetz. Among the classic Maxy Wallis we will see Open Season of Thomas Bscher and Y3K of Claus-Peter Offen.

Swan Maxi Class: Swan boats over 60 feet.

One design boats: Real time is the referent again. Also for one design boats such as the Swan 45, X-35, Platú 25, J-80 and Flying Fifteen.

The Real Club Náutico of Palma´s bet on these fleet is bearing fruit, and we now see how they increase every year. Platú 25 Nova Inmobiliaria of Jorge Forteza, Bribón-Movistar of Josep Cusí or Central Lechera Asturiana of two times olympic medalist Natàlia Via-Dufresne stand out as favorites.

The J-80 fleet is the largest among one design boats. These kind of vessels are without any doubt at their peak.

RI, ORC International and IRC: These will be the divisions with the most participants, especially the RI fleet which is 48 units, and the ORC is 17.

We are talking about cruise classes where amateur fleets compete against each other on boats of different sizes. The RI was created by the Real Asociación Nacional de Cruceros (RANC), and replaces the IMS. The RI is a simpler and easier measurement and compensation system.

In the IRC we will see current Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre winner Aifos of Spanish Army. RI will count with Fernando León and Kiko Sánchez Luna among its crew members.

TP52’ is box rule at its best, and counts with the most professional circuit of the moment. Five units will take part in the Hublot PalmaVela regatta. The debut of Argentinian Matador of Alberto Roemmers, helmed by Guillermo Parada, will be one of the highlights. We will also see Cristabella of John Cook, which sails, as Matador, under the flag of RCN Palma.

The Classic and Vintage sail: This is a majestic class. Hublot PalmaVela has during the last years become a reference for this class shipowners. The fleet of vintage yachts is another of the aspects which make the Hublot PalmaVela a great regatta. They are real jewels in sailing.

Lateen sail: This is the typical balearic class, and a big fleet on the islands. It´s divided into classic majorcan llaüts, boats and regatta llaüts. All of these are subdivided into bigger or smaller than 22 hands.

Adapted sail: This is the class in which handicapped racers will compete at the same level as the rest of the classes. The organization of PalmaVela gives them a warm welcome and is honored to have them sailing with us.


THE REGATTA AREAS


One of the main novelties in this year´s edition of the HUBLOT PalmaVela is the fact that each of the four race areas have been named after different models of the main sponsor, the Swiss watchmaker Hublot.

That way, Alpha Area, in which the Lateen Sail and Disabled Sailing fleets will be racing, is now called HUBLOT Classic Fusion. It will be the closest area to the entrance of the port of Palma.

Bravo Area remains for the One Design boat fleets and changes its name to HUBLOT Tourbillon. It will be located by Ca´n Pastilla.

Charlie Area, on the most central part of the Bay of Palma, has been baptised HUBLOT Big Bang and will be the starting point of the coastal races.

Delta Area´s name will now be HUBLOT King Power and it will be the furthest one, at the end of the bay, where the windward-leeward races will take place.

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Communication Team Regatta Hublot PalmaVela 2009
Nicolas Terry – Mara Escassi – Jaume Soler – Eva Dallo