Invitation Only - Inside the Ibiza Joysail Superyacht Regatta
What began in 2021 as an end-of-season gathering for clients of STP Shipyard and Marina Ibiza, has grown into an exclusive superyacht regatta that attracts some of the finest names in the fleet. We were one of the lucky few to join this year’s action, and believe us, it was special.
There is a particular kind of buzz to be felt in Marina Ibiza in the hours before the JoySail’s day one briefing. Teams trade notes on the forecast, owners size up the competition three berths down, and behind the scenes the trophies are being polished in anticipation of those who reign victorious. It is competitive sailing, yes, but it is also, unmistakably, Ibiza — and an invitation to this regatta has become one of the most sought after in the superyacht calendar.
The Ibiza JoySail started in 2021 and though it was never intended to be a ‘superyacht circuit’ event, its professional organisation and spirit of individuality has made it a firm fixture on the calendar. The regatta strives to reflect Ibiza’s island character and its energy, promoting friendship, good vibes and celebrating the special community found at the heart of sailing superyacht racing. Whilst its informality is still its defining trait, demand outgrew the available berths. The Ibiza JoySail quietly became invitation-only, and the hottest ticket in town.
This year’s event, the sixth edition, ran September 17-20 out of Marina Ibiza, and the fleet told its own story of how far the JoySail has come. Nineteen superyachts were confirmed, ranging from 80 to 147 feet, with several Southern Winds and five Swans on the entry list, alongside full-custom creations from the likes of Vitters, Baltic, and Pendennis.
Eight were returning competitors — Aurelius, Bella, Cervo, Gelliceaux, Liberty Squared, Moat, Morgana and Nostromo among them — while twelve more, including Nefertiti, Fortissimo II, and Atalante, were racing in the JoySail for the first time. As Nacho Postigo, the event’s Race Director, put it, the fleet “reflects the evolution of Ibiza JoySail over the past six years” — an eclectic mix running from cutting-edge high-performers to classically-inspired cruising yachts.
Though competitive sailing is part of the offer, the JoySail also encourages participation in ‘Corinthian’ style. This allows owners and more amateur crews to ‘come as they are’ and sail shoulder to shoulder with the Olympic medallists and world champion sailors found on the foredecks of their fellow participants without hiring in professional talent or modifying their boats for racing. It’s a deliberate choice, and it’s one of the reasons the regatta feels less like a sporting event and more like a very well-organized mini-festival (that happens to involve 147-foot yachts doing windward-leeward legs). Half the fleet typically competes in that Corinthian mode, and it shows in how little tension there is on the dock — rivalries exist, but they dissolve fast once the sails come down.
On the water, this year’s edition didn’t go entirely to plan, which is part of what made it memorable. Thunderstorms put play to the opening day’s race, compressing what should have been four days of competition into three. The darkened skies and downpour of rain were an event to witness in themselves, though best done from the safety of the hotel. Conditions improved however and courses were set that optimised conditions for a variety of races that saw clever tactics take the lead. To witness yachts of this size round marks with such agility and grace is breathtaking – proceeding at full power under sail, they turn on a dime. We know it’s not effortless, we hear the shouts of the crew and see the struggle with the sails but somehow these sailing beasts are tamed.
The Swan 115 Moat took its class win for the sixth consecutive year, a run that’s starting to look less like a streak and more like a fixture of its own. WinWin, Cervo, Point Counter Point and Nostromo took the remaining class honors, with special trophies reserved for owner-skippered yachts — a nice touch that keeps the regatta’s founding spirit intact even as the fleet gets more serious.
“The sixth edition of the Ibiza JoySail has come and gone, and we are still amazed by the spectacular yachts that grace us with their presence,” comments Postigo. “Our most sincere thanks go to the owners of these fantastic yachts, and we hope they will continue to share the end of summer with us in Ibiza for many years to come.”
What stays with you, though, isn’t the leaderboard. It’s the rhythm of the week itself — the bustling breakfasts, themed dinners, and the dockside gatherings that run later than anyone plans for. Looking to the years ahead, the Ibiza JoySail remains committed to its careful pairing of competition and camaraderie.
Dates have been announced for 2027, with the JoySail regatta taking place September 23rd -26th. The question is, will you be on the invite list?
Written by Roxanne Hughes
