Following the first day of racing at the Superyacht Cup Palma, day two proved to be challenging for the 21 superyacht fleet in Thursday’s Pantaenius Race, as they battled with constant changes in wind strength and direction along the 28.6-nautical-mile coastal course.

The early nine-knot breeze soon increased to 13-16 knots. Local knowledge proved crucial and 46-metre Vitters Ganesha, with navigator Nacho Postigo and tactician Matt Humphries aboard, scored a comfortable owner-driven win in the seven-yacht Class 1 section by over seven minutes.

Class 2 winner was the 30.6-metre Spirit Yachts Gaia, with Miguel Sanchez calling the shots on his home waters. In race 2, last year’s overall winner, the Hoek-designed Claasen-built 24-metre sloop Heartbeat, was back to her winning ways. She finished just under four minutes ahead of second placed Royal Huisman Maria Cattiva.

All pictures by Mike Edwardson