Several of the spectacular superyachts entered in The Superyacht Cup Ulysse Nardin 2007 were out in Palma Bay on Thursday training for the three days of sailing that starts on Sunday 17th June.
It is very unusual to see these glamorous yachts practising manouvres which shows just how this event has captured the imagination of captains, owners and crew.
A whole new temporary superyacht port has been created for the fifty-two yachts entered for the event below the battlements of the historic Castillo de San Carlos complete with hospitality, sponsor and VIP areas and a grand marquee for The Superyacht Cup and New Zealand Millennium Cup prize-giving.
The Superyacht Cup Ulysse Nardin will be the largest and most spectacular gathering of sailing superyachts that has ever been seen, with over 2 kilometres of yachts lined up bow to stern.
The longest in the fleet is the 88.6m (288ft) schooner Maltese Falcon built by Perini Navi in 2006 with three towering free-standing carbon clipper-ship style masts complete with gaffs and 15 in-mast furling sails – all remotely controlled by computer.
Oldest in the fleet is the magnificently restored 46.3m (152ft) Lulworth which is the largest gaff cutter afloat today built in 1920 in Southampton by the White Brothers.
The sailing for the three days wil be in a pursuit race format with timed starts. The slowest will start first so that all yachts get away safely and should all arrive at the finish together if the handicapper has done his work properly.