Final preparations are being made as the clock counts down towards the start of the 22nd Superyacht Cup (19-23 June) with many of the world’s most impressive sailing vessels now gathering in Palma, Mallorca.

 With racing set to begin in just a few days’ time on 20 June, yachts from all corners of the globe have responded to the enduring allure of Europe’s longest running and largest superyacht regatta.

Some – like Bolero, Bliss and Athos – have returned from the far reaches of Asia and the Pacific, with many others including Missy, Velsheda and Svea arriving from the Caribbean.

The already impressive fleet has been further boosted with the recent addition of the impressive 50m ketch Silencio. With performance to match her good looks, Silencio has shown previous regatta form in winning both the 2013 Perini Cup and 2015 Millennium Cup, so will be one to watch once racing gets underway. Launched by Perini Navi in 2001, Silencio (ex-Perseus) was extensively refitted in 2012.

With so many yachts returning to the Mediterranean for the Superyacht Cup, Palma has been delivering on its global reputation as the go-to place for outstanding maintenance, refit and repair facilities.

“The sense of excitement around Palma is growing with every passing day as the start of the Superyacht Cup gets closer,” said Event Manager Kate Branagh.

“We are ready and waiting to put on one of the greatest sailing shows on Earth, and I am sure all the owners, skippers and crews, some of whom have travelled long distances to be here, will have a wonderful time.”

Meanwhile, organisers have confirmed that the Superyacht Cup will this year include a Corinthian class, which will allow owners to share the thrills of racing without a spinnaker and with a smaller crew.

Entries into this only slightly more relaxed category will include the 52m long-distance cruising ketch Q, and the elegant 46m sloop Scorpione of London, one of two yachts in the fleet from Baltic Yachts, a Superyacht Cup Gold Partner.

Confirming the Superyacht Cup’s international reach, the event’s Preferred Hotel Partner, The St. Regis Mardavall, has expanded its involvement to their global brand which encompasses more than 60 hotels worldwide. St. Regis will host the Paella Dock Party at Jack’s Club at the heart of the race village on Thursday 21 June and the Owners Mid-Summer Barbecue on the Friday.

As part of the relaxed and entertaining shore side social programme running through all four days of the Superyacht Cup, event Gold Partner Pendennis will again be running their highly competitive Pendennis Paddleboard Challenge on Friday 22 June.

Yachts can continue their friendly rivalry out on the race course by entering one or more teams of four paddleboarders for a relay race off the Palma dockside!

The full programme of racing and shore events, along with the entry list and other information can be seen at http://www.thesuperyachtcup.com/index.php. Sailing Instructions can be found at http://www.thesuperyachtcup.com/sailingdocs.php.