The Bay of Palma has become a natural mecca for Mediterranean sailing events.

The central location, with easy access from mainland Spain, the French Riviera, Italy, and teams further afield coming across the Atlantic and through the Straits of Gibraltar, combined with those further south and east in the Med, make it ideal.

Upwind on day 1 of the inaugural X-Yachts Spanish Gold Cup – photo © Oriold Esteve / www.photonautic.com

The climate helps, with guaranteed warmth in June, and an extraordinarily reliable breeze. Of course there are off days – we all know the phrase ‘it’s never normally like this’ – but the Spanish Gold Cup didn’t hear that uttered once.

Crews enjoying the conditions on day 2 at the inaugural X-Yachts Spanish Gold Cup © Mark Jardine

Yachts turned up from far and wide, with sailors representing Spain, Germany, The Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, Italy, Norway, Hong Kong, China, Canada and Belgium.