Oyster Palma Regatta crowns Mallorca racing season
by Oyster Yachts 13 Sep 08:45 UTC
4-8 September 2023
The Oyster 885 Anyi, winner of the prestigious Oyster Cup © Oyster Yachts
Earlier this month Oyster Yachts celebrated 50 years in business with a special edition of the Palma Regatta, held at the new luxurious location of Port Adriano, Mallorca.
Fifteen iconic Oyster Yachts took part in the Oyster Palma Regatta from the 4-8th September. The fleet of luxury bluewater cruising yachts, from 50 to 90 foot in length, took part in a series of different race formats over the four days of racing. The racing, run in true Corinithian spirit, was managed by the Oyster Yachts in-house team who ensured that the race was fun and fair for all racing abilities.
The competitive fleet included six new-launched Oyster Yachts, four of which will taking part in the next Oyster World Rally, a 16-month global circumnavigation that starts in Antigua January 2024.
"Events like the Oyster Palma Regatta are important ahead of the Rally as it has given us an opportunity to meet other Oyster owners that are doing the Rally, but also bring the crew closer together as well as put the boat through its paces in a fun competitive environment. The last time we raced was 18 years ago in an x332 in Poole harbour!" Commented Gabby Covill, owner of the recently launch Oyster 745 Mexican Wave.
The biggest racing class was the Oyster 885, one of the largest yachts in the Oyster fleet, with four yachts - Babiana, Achenar, Ayni and Lush - racing against each other. Babiana was only launched in 2022 but came out of the blocks with racing speed winning her first race on Day One.
This was the first year that the Oyster Palma Regatta was passed at the Philippe Starck designed Port Adriano. One of the most modern marinas in the Mediterranean, the facilities at Port Adriano provided an exceptional base for the Oyster Yachts fleet and the super yachts that are based there.
Oyster Yachts is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year and held a dinner at La Terraza in the marina of Port Adriano to mark the occasion. It was an emotional evening giving owners the ability to reflect on past, present,and future. The event also included speeches from Richard Matthews on the origins of Oyster, David Braben spoke about the Oyster owner experience, while Richard Hadida and Ashleigh Highfield spoke on the present and future of Oyster Yachts. The guests toasted Oyster Yacht's 50 years with Glenturret whisky and enjoyed the viewing of the Oyster 50-year film was also played.
"Oyster's achievements in 50 years are too numerous to mention. But one thing is certain, our reputation is built as much on our quality of build as it is on special memories and life-changing experiences our owners have enjoyed over the last half-century," comments Richard Hadida, Owner, and Chairman of Oyster Yachts.
Friday saw the final prize-giving ceremony with Anyi Oyster 885 lifting the prestigious Oyster Cup, the 120-year-old Trophy that is presented to the winner of the Oyster Cup Pursuit Race.