Moat (Performance), Dark Horse (Performance Cruising), Aurelius (World Cruising) and Svea (J Class), winners of Ibiza JoySail 2023

October 1, 2023 - Palma, Spain - The third edition of Ibiza JoySail culminated with the victories of Moat (Performance), Dark Horse (Performance Cruising), Aurelius (World Cruising) and Svea (J Class) after competing in three races off Ibiza and Formentera. The whole event was a roaring success with a record number of participants enjoying the competition at sea and the activities on land.

Ibiza JoySail this year welcomed world-renowned seafarers such as Bouwe Bekking and Paul Westlake (Svea), Peter Holmberg and Francesco de Angelis (Topaz), Will Oxley and Mark Sadler (Jasi), Guillermo Parada (Moat), Andy Beadsworth and Bill Tripp (Prevail), and Jesper Bank (All Smoke), to name just a few. The Spanish representation included sailors such as Pablo Arrarte (Jasi), Nacho Postigo and Javier de la Plaza (Topaz), Pachi Rivero (All Smoke), and Sinbad Quiroga (Svea).

Moat (Swan 115) is still the queen of Ibiza JoySail after having gained victory in all three editions of this superyacht regatta premiered in 2021. Juan Ball's yacht can now claim to be one of the true superstars of the event, along with the Performance Cruising winner Dark Horse (Swan 80), who are the only two boats to have raced in all the editions of Ibiza JoySail.

Juan Ball, one of the regatta's leading ambassadors, commented upon arriving at Marina Ibiza as three-time champion of Ibiza JoySail that "we love this event that started out as a project just three years ago. We were invited to take part and ever since we've jumped at the chance of playing a part in the regatta". What's more, the incentive this year for Moat was to compete with Jasi, her sistership: "We've been matching wits with Jasi, which has been really productive for both parties".

In Performance, the duel between Moat and debutante Jasi was simply spectacular, with Moat winning overall after coming first in all three races and Jasi notching up three seconds. Meanwhile, All Smoke (SW-RP 90) came third, beating on the last day Kiboko Tres (SW 105), who ended up fourth overall but was crowned champion in the Corinthian Class.

In Performance Cruising, Dark Horse finished in front after showcasing an incredible evolution in just three years, winning Ibiza JoySail for the first time ever. The American yacht Prevail finished second and Shambho (Y7 70) — in her first Ibiza JoySail — came third and also won the Corinthian prize in her class.

In World Cruising, Aurelius was a double champion both in her class and in the Corinthian class. Second place was taken by Scorpion of London (Baltic 151), the largest and most elegant yacht, while tied on points in third place was Alarife 100 (Custom 99).

The anticyclone that hovered over the Mediterranean throughout the week meant that the Palma-Ibiza record couldn't be set on the first day. Once in Ibiza, and even though the wind barely topped six knots on all four days, the Race Committee led by Gaspar Morey, Pablo Ferrer and Arianne Mainemare successfully held a nearshore race every day despite very tricky conditions. There were a total of three routes during the event, challenging the fleet to the max but resulting in huge admiration for Marina Ibiza and a burning desire to repeat next year.

The results

Performance

1. Moat, 3 points
2. Jasi, 6 points
3. All Smoke, 10 points
4. Kiboko (C), 7 points

Performance Cruising

1. Dark Horse, 3 points
2. Prevail, 6 points
3. Shambho (C), 9 points

World Cruising

1. Aurelius (C), 4 points
2. Scorpion of London, 7 points
3. Alarife 100, 7 points

J Class

1. Svea, 3 points
2. Topaz, 5 points