“Stormvogel”, movie sign in La Larga and PalmaVela

There are still two months left La Larga and PalmaVela, in its 19th edition, start in the bay of Palma. List of registrations for the regatta, between the two modalities high altitude and coastal, It already reaches almost 90 applicants and among them it is worth mentioning a boat that is not only legendary for its rich sports history, but also for being the protagonist, along with actress Nicole Kidman and actors Sam Neill and Billy Zane, in the film dead calm.

It is a “Stormvogel” Maxi built in the wine-growing town of Stellenbosch (South Africa) in 1961, which since that same year has a sporting record with numerous successes at legendary events in the south of the United Kingdom such as Fastnet, Sydney-Hobart or Dinard. The ship was commissioned by Dutch woodworker Kees Bruynzeel Jr., known for the invention of marine plywood.

For the “Stormvogel” there were three naval architects who drew her lines: Van de Stadt designed the hull and appendages, John Illingworth the sail and deck plan, and Laurent Giles the interior. From April 27 to May 7, Real Club Náutico de Palma will be his home, and this season, along with La Larga and PalmaVela, he will repeat his participation in the Rolex Fastnet and Les Voiles de St. Tropez.

The Wally family returns to Palma

Three Maxis and four Wallys join the nearly 90 entries for two events, the offshore regatta with La Larga and the coastal regatta with PalmaVela, giving a special long-distance color to the first major regatta on the Mediterranean calendar. “Re-owning teams and ships the size of Magic Carpet 3, Galateia, Bullitt or S/Y Rose with the Wally class fleet makes us extremely proud of the work that began almost 20 years ago,” says RCN’s Sports Director. Palma, Manuel Fraga, who did not want to miss the opportunity to remind that “the Maxi class, with three units, will also be present at this 19th edition”.

ORC, the most numerous class

The ORC class for La larga, in its A2 division as well as crew, has almost 25 teams. The team that the organizing committee of the regatta motivates much more to commit to this altitude test. “It is very satisfying to see how this high-altitude regatta takes shape in the European calendar year after year,” says Fraga? and long lines such as the Pelotari Project, Pink Gin Verde or the mythical Stormvogel contribute to one of the most colorful regattas in the Mediterranean”.

One month to apply

The registration period ends on 28 March, although the Race Committee may accept multiple entries in accordance with the requirements of the Notice of Race published on 27 December 2022.