Ibiza JoySail Sets Record Challenge Between Mallorca and Ibiza

In modern sailing, racing against the clock to set a record can be as motivating and rewarding as racing in a regatta.

To achieve this, the first step is to study weather forecasts and prepare the best scenario, one that allows for the fastest speed with the fewest maneuvers and sail changes. From there, the real challenge is tackling the route generated by the computer.

Sailors who have previously participated in Ibiza JoySail have always had the opportunity to break the 48-nautical-mile crossing record from Punta Cala Figuera in Mallorca to the island of Tagomago in Ibiza. However, since these benchmarks were set on a specific day, the times have remained relatively modest.

Currently, given that the superyacht sporting event will feature four days of coastal races in Ibiza and Formentera instead of three, the record for winning the Perpetual Trophy Mallorca-Ibiza has become a challenge with added value.

From this edition onward, Ibiza JoySail organizers offer participants the opportunity to freely choose the weather window for making the crossing between these two islands, anytime within the 30 days before the start of the regatta.

Interested participants must register in advance, pick up their tracker, and hoist the Ibiza JoySail flag when they deem appropriate.

But what would the ideal weather window be like? Nacho Postigo, technical director of Ibiza JoySail, a renowned sailor and specialist in Balearic meteorology, describes some ideal weather scenarios.

"During the summer, easterly winds predominate in the Balearic Islands. However, the thermal effects of the peninsular coasts and large islands like Mallorca can completely distort this flow during the central hours of the day (and also at night), developing sea breezes that, in the case of Mallorca, can counter this easterly wind."

He adds, "However, when the easterly component is strong enough, usually above 16 knots, optimal sailing conditions are created, ideal for a fast crossing from Mallorca to Ibiza, sailing downwind in moderate wind conditions. Therefore, by choosing the right window, boats could shatter the previously established records."

The new system to break the record is more ambitious: "Until now, with arbitrary start and finish points set by the regatta, sailing against other boats in a fixed time window meant not having the opportunity to achieve something even remotely close to ideal downwind or reaching conditions. So, we are opening the window wide, offering a 30-day period before the Ibiza JoySail begins to wait for the perfect weather conditions and go all out. We will enjoy an unforgettable crossing to Ibiza," says Postigo.

Everyone agrees that if the conditions are right, a high-performance superyacht could lower the record to about four hours, which would mean an average of 12 knots, easily achievable. Other boats, more cruising-oriented, could relatively easily set records of around five hours, which would correspond to an average speed of 10 knots.

Any boat registered in the Ibiza JoySail regatta has the right to attempt to set a record. They only need to inform Ibiza JoySail via email at info@ibizajoysail.com, pick up the tracker and the event's backstay flag at least 24 hours before the attempt.

There is a 30-day window available before the official start of the regatta to attempt the record. The window opens on Wednesday, August 21, starting at 00:00 and closes on Thursday, September 19, at 00:00.

The starting line is the lighthouse at Punta Cala Figuera (SW of Mallorca), and the finish line is the lighthouse on the island of Tagomago off Ibiza.

Current Records

Category            Time                Year           Boat         Length          Model

Absoluto               6h 46m 12s        2022          Moat           115 pies       Swan 115

Cruising 120+       8h 29m.07s        2022          Bliss            121 pies     Dubois 121

Cruising 110+       No establecido

Cruising 100+       No establecido

90+                        7h 17m 26s      2022           All Smoke     91 pies         SW 90

Cruising 90+        7h 34m 24s    2022            Bella           90 pies        YYatcht 90

Cruising 80+         8h 01m 33s      2022           Sapma          80 pies        Swan 80

Cruising 80 -         No establecido