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Marine + lifestyle writer
I am an experienced editor, journalist and writer in the marine and lifestyle sectors.
After editing
Sailing Today magazine for five years, I turned freelance in 2017 and now write for a long list of prestigious monthlies.
As a former comms director, I have also built media plans, organised press briefings and worked to shape the news agenda.
With 20 years in publishing and communications, you can entrust your project to me.
by Sam Fortescue in
RACING RETURNS
A newcomer who had never flown the spinnaker before has carried off the silverware at Europe’s longest running superyacht regatta. The 43m Royal Huisman sloop Ravenger won both her class and the overall event at the 25th Superyacht Cup Palma, held at the end of June. It is the first time in 15 years of the event that a rookie owner has triumphed, but there was plenty else that was new about this year’s event.
It was a year which saw a somewhat reduced field of competitors, with nine boats emerging from lockdown to race. But after losing last year’s event to the pandemic, organiser Kate Branagh was determined that racing should return in 2021. The fruit of her labours was world-class superyacht racing in plum conditions in the Bay of Palma, which left big smiles on the faces of owners and crew alike – many of whom were racing for the first time in 18 months.
“The success of Superyacht Cup Palma over the past 25 years is in large part down to our ability to react and respond to circumstances and the changing requirements of the superyacht community, including owners, captains, crews and our commercial partners,” said Branagh.
It was this spirit of flexibility which saw the venue for the event moving to Palma’s Real Club Nautico, the prestigious sailing club which has long provided the race management on the water. At the same time, the buzzing social events which usually form the heart of the event were pared right back in line...