‘V’ and ‘Hale Kai’ are the winners of the Barcelona SuperYacht Regatta 2024

October 7, 2024 - Barcelona, Spain - The winners of the Barcelona Superyacht Regatta 2024 were: V, followed by Jasi and Nefertiti in the Performance Class. In the Cruiser Class, Halekai took the grand prize, followed by Esense and Fidelis.

The Barcelona Superyacht Regatta 2024 concluded this Sunday, October 6, after three days of intense racing and camaraderie among the crews. Despite weather challenges on the final day, the regatta provided an impressive spectacle. The winners of the Barcelona Superyacht Regatta 2024 were: V, followed by Jasi and Nefertiti in the Performance Class. In the Cruiser Class, Halekai claimed the grand prize, followed by Esense and Fidelis.

The Barcelona SuperYacht Regatta 2024 was organized by the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona in collaboration with BWA Yachting and sanctioned by the SuperYacht Racing Association (SYRA). It gathered some of the world’s most impressive superyachts. This was the penultimate event within the Premier Regatta Series, held in parallel with the 37th Louis Vuitton America’s Cup, and jointly organized with America’s Cup Events (ACE).

Friday: Exciting Start
The regatta began on Friday with an energetic day, characterized by winds between 8 and 13 knots, allowing the yachts to showcase their full potential. In the Performance Class, superyacht V stood out by completing the 20.28-nautical-mile course in 1 hour and 39 minutes, followed by Nefertiti and Jasi. In the Cruiser Class, Halekai, in its debut, took victory after covering the 12.44 nautical miles in 1 hour and 18 minutes.
Ken Reed, tactician for V, noted after the first day: "Choosing the right sail at the perfect moment was key to gaining an advantage. The precision and rigorous training of our team made the difference."

Saturday: Tactical Challenges
The second day was equally challenging, with shifting wind conditions that tested the teams' skills. After a slow start, the wind picked up, reaching 12-14 knots. V again dominated in the Performance Class, consolidating its lead with a time of 1 hour and 39 minutes. Jasi and Nefertiti rounded out the podium. In the Cruiser Class, Halekai repeated its victory, crossing the finish line in 2 hours and 28 minutes, followed by Esense, which failed to follow the correct course and received an NSC (Did Not Follow Course), and Fidelis, which registered a RET (Retired).
"It was an interesting day of sailing," remarked Mark Sadler, tactician for Jasi. "The wind shifts made it more strategic, and we enjoyed facing that challenge."

Sunday: Cancelation Due to Lack of Wind but a Spectacular Finish
Although forecasts for the third day predicted winds of 14-16 knots, they never materialized, and by the 14:00 cut-off time, the Race Committee decided to cancel the competition. Despite the initial disappointment, the crews celebrated the event with good humor and great sportsmanship. "It's always disappointing not to complete a race, but that's sailing," expressed Jack Boutell, captain of V. "Still, it was a fantastic experience competing in such diverse conditions."

Barcelona Superyacht Regatta 2024 Winners

At the event's conclusion, the top winners were celebrated at an awards ceremony in the Race Village at RCN Barcelona, attended by Jordi Puig, president of RCN Barcelona, and Antonella Della Pietra from BWA Yachting. In the Performance Class, V was crowned champion, followed by Jasi and Nefertiti. In the Cruiser Class, Halekai took first place, followed by Esense and Fidelis.

For Halekai, competing for the first time, the experience was highly positive. James Saddlington, its captain, commented: "We definitely learned a lot and are satisfied with the boat's performance. The varied conditions allowed us to test its capability in different situations." He added that although the competition in their class wasn’t as fierce, it met its goal of uniting yachts and their crews in an enjoyable and challenging nautical event.

A Festive Finale
The awards ceremony was a joyful and fun-filled event. With the Puig Women’s America’s Cup as a backdrop, streamed live on the Race Village’s giant screens, the Esense crew took the stage dancing in a conga line, while V’s team sent two of their youngest crew members to collect the trophy. The loudest applause was reserved for the Halekai crew, who, dressed in Hawaiian shirts, raised their trophy with a shout of "Aloha!"
A Regatta to Remember
The Barcelona Superyacht Regatta 2024 was a resounding success, blending the elegance of superyachts with the excitement of competition. "Events like this are essential to enjoy yachts in a way that's different from the usual," Saddlington noted. The regatta not only stood out for the nautical skills displayed but also for the sense of community and fun that enveloped all the crews.