Sun, sea, sangria and sailing … perfect conditions in Palma de Mallorca for the start of the 10th X-Yachts Gold Cup, which saw entries from eleven nations. Four races were to be sailed before the winners could bring home their golden trophies.

The overall winner of the Gold Cup was Juan Cabrer from Spain in his X-37 “Palma dos 1000”. Peter Buhl from Denmark sailing an IMX 40 took second place and third on the podium was skipper Oleg Evdokumenko from Russia in an X-41 “Vihesha” which came all the way from Malta. The Family Class was won by an X-50 “Sea Magic” owned by Clemente Toribio from X-Yachts Spain, closely followed by X-50 “Touche VI” with Conor Fanning at the helm from X-Yachts Ireland and assisted by Birger Hansen from X-Yachts Denmark.

It was the third time that Real Club Nautico de Palma hosted a cup for X-Yachts; but it was the first Gold Cup in Spain. At sea, a moderate to fresh breeze made the racing a challenge in the well laid out courses, for both the family and sport classes. Ashore, the welcoming swimming pool and restaurant at Real Club Nautico were heaving with the families and guests who impatiently waited for the fleet to return, and those who could not wait, took the opportunity to follow the races onboard a visitors catamaran from the seaside.

On Friday morning the X-Cup fleet were motoring out of the harbour with the Cathedral of Palma to their port side. They passed the Super Yachts, in their berths awaiting the Superyacht Cup due to start on Sunday; including the vast 88m (288ft) three masted Maltese Falcon built by Perini Navi which left everybody in awe including the experienced yachtsmen. At precisely 12 o’clock the start signal was given for the first race and off went the Family Class followed five minutes later by the X-35 and Sport Class in a second start. A total of two races were sailed in perfect conditions and winds mostly above 12 knots. Day two was just as fine with another two races carried out under the professional supervision of Real Club Nautico’s regatta team.

Like a painting by Joan Miró Clemente Toribio and Juan Carlos Garcia from X-Yachts Spain had provided all the best for their guests; right from the welcome reception on Thursday evening with champagne and canapés to Friday night’s paella and sangria with the prefect sun set over the horizon, an image analogous to a Joan Miró painting. The weekend ended perfectly with the prize giving dinner on Saturday accompanied by a jazz orchestra and a photo show prepared by the marine photographer Nico Martinez. The 10th X-Yachts Cup was a huge success conveyed amongst an international atmosphere from beginning to end. Annette Dam X-Yachts Denmark

11 Nations at the Gold Cup 2007 Spain Belgium Malta Russia The Netherlands Switzerland Austria Denmark Norway Ireland England