The Ibiza JoySail 2025 got underway in perfect Mediterranean style, with the fleet racing a spectacular 15-mile course that started and finished beneath the iconic silhouette of Es Vedrà. The route took competitors out to Cabo Llentrisca and back, with light winds of around six knots gradually building to just over ten knots.
This year’s edition features 22 yachts ranging from 66 to 144 feet, divided into five categories – Performance, Cruising L, Cruising M, Cruising XL, and World Cruising – with a Corinthian classification in each group.
Performance Class
In the Performance Class, Moat once again proved unstoppable, claiming both line honors and first place overall with a time of 2 hours, 56 minutes and 32 seconds. Moat remains the only yacht to have won every edition of the Ibiza JoySail. Close behind came Jasi, just three minutes adrift, followed by Morgana. All Smoke, skippered by Peter Holmberg with Luis Doreste on tactics, sits just off the podium in fourth.
Cruising L
In Cruising L, Liberty Squared takes the early lead, followed by Gelliceaux and Kiboko 4 – the sole Spanish yacht in this year’s fleet – which also tops the Corinthian division.
Cruising M
The Café Racer-style duel returned in Cruising M, where Ganesha, captained by Alfredo Mella with Diego Fructuoso on board, edged out Open Season by a mere 43 seconds. Shambo came in third, trailing well behind the leading pair.
“It was a challenging race as we had to search for pressure throughout the course,” commented Mella upon arrival at Marina Ibiza. “Coming from Porto Cervo where we had gusts over 30 knots, it was actually refreshing to sail in lighter winds.”
Cruising XL
Among the largest yachts, Spiip leads by just 18 seconds over L’Hippocampe, setting the stage for what promises to be a tight battle over the coming days. Geist remains within striking distance in third.
World Cruising
In the fully Corinthian World Cruising division, Nostromo claims the top spot ahead of Aurelius and Namuun.
Racing continues Friday with the second of four days of competition. If wind conditions allow, the fleet may face the classic challenge of a full circumnavigation of Formentera.
