Ibiza, March 11, 2021.
STP Shipyard Palma, Europe’s main hub for sailing yacht refit and repair, and Marina Ibiza, an exclusive marina in the Med, have joined forces to create the Ibija Joysail Regatta.
It is a new competition for yachts from 24m that promises to become a benchmark in the world of high-performance regattas because of the international team that has developed the rules, because of the novelty of including an offshore race between Mallorca and Ibiza, and also because of the exciting experience programme both on the water and onshore, for owners and crews, all of this following the most rigorous protocol to make it a safe event.
The Notice of Race was published on February 16th and many of the familiar teams have already expressed their enthusiasm and interest in participating in this new international sailing event.
Nicolás González, captain of S/Y NEFERTITI noted: “Last summer 2020, we were with Nefertiti for 45 days sailing in Ibiza and Formentera, it really is a paradise. Together with two other Maxis we organised a very exciting race. We went around Formentera to Port and Starboard on different days, as well as a tour around Es Vedrá. It really was one of my most beautiful sailing times aboard Nefertiti.
“There is usually a 10-15 knot breeze, which is ideal for sailing. There is enough depth to sail along the coastline until you almost touch the rocks with your hand, the colour of the water is turquoise, and also the facilities and services at Marina Ibiza are excellent, first class. That is why we believe that the Ibiza JoySail regatta is a very good initiative and an excellent way to start the 2021 season in full swing! Hopefully we can sail and have fun with a few Maxis and superyachts.”
The regatta programme will start on Thursday June 17, 2021 from the STP Shipyard in Palma de Mallorca, with an offshore race from the Bay of Palma to the island of Ibiza and will continue on the following three days with coastal races in the waters of Ibiza and Formentera. In addition to the prestigious international team that has developed the event format, the involvement of the Club Náutico de Ibiza – the second oldest club in the Balearic Islands – ensures that the quality of the new international sailing fixture will be indisputable and assured.
According to Sebas Vidal, lead regatta coordinator at the Club Náutico de Ibiza, “The club is looking forward to be a part of this event and fill our waters with dozens of big sailboats set to enjoy a unique and very special regatta. We have always wanted to organise an event of great significance, so the initiative of Marina Ibiza together with STP has been the ideal opportunity to take the step, and from here, we want to encourage all Maxi and Superyachts to come and enjoy great competition within a unique environment.”
Each day at Ibiza JoySail, the end of racing will give way to an extraordinary social agenda in which lifestyle experiences will be the central focus, all under strict health protocols and procedures, and within an eco-friendly environment. For that reason, Marina Ibiza has obtained the Safe Tourism seal, the Clean & Safe marina accreditation and 5-Star Marina classification.
Opening the sailing season, the Pitiusas Islands will display all their charms to reaffirm their position as an ideal destination for doing sport and enjoying an incomparable fusion of luxury and entertainment, targeted towards the most demanding audience like the owners of these types of yachts.
On top of this, Marina Ibiza will offer participants a personalised concierge service to help guests make the most of the special destination. Boat owners and crews will have access to all the services they may require, both nautical and social, or transport and accommodations, to make it an unforgettable experience ingrained in the calendar, to repeat year after year.
Daniel Marí, Managing Director of Marina Ibiza comments: “For us, this project is a unique opportunity to show our little paradise and for those who are passionate about the sea to receive the very best version of our islands. As an ancient land of fishermen and privateers, we are great sea and sailing lovers, and we are convinced that this event will make many boat owners rediscover waters in which it is not only wonderful to sail, but also to enjoy an unlimited offer of services, leisure and entertainment. We want to become the best example of the union between top competition and lifestyle experiences on land, thanks to the fact that Ibiza is a unique destination for both.” Irrefutable proof of this are the unique views from Marina Ibiza, located right in front of the old walled city, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO; a real postcard.
From STP Shipyard Palma, the technical repair hub where most of the teams prepare their boats for competition, the initiative has been received very positively, and Joan Rosselló, Manager of the shipyard, was drawn to the event by its key differentiating factor: “In Mallorca there are many – and very important – regattas, but there are none that included a 70-mile crossing race between one island and another. From what some captains who repair at the shipyard tell us this is a very interesting added value of the Ibiza JoySail format. STP is usually the repair base for many racing teams, and we even host some regattas with a long international history, so we decided to support the idea from the beginning.”
