Racing
Nilaya is First In Class at the 2019 Superyacht Challenge Antigua
Antigua (February 3, 2019) – The ninth edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua kicked off the 2019 superyacht regatta season and featured four races for six 24 to 44m yachts all racing under the superyacht rule ORCsy.
The Reichel/Pugh-designed 112’ Nilaya, helmed by owner Filip Balcaen, took 1st place in Class C: Corsairs. Nilaya was built by Baltic Yachts and launched in 2010.
Seven-time Volvo Ocean Race veteran, Bouwe Bekking, called tactics on Nilaya and previously explained that, “the team on Nilaya has been together for a number of years, so I think that allows us to sail a superyacht like a smaller boat and that does make a difference. This regatta is very much in the style of gentleman’s racing, which produces a great atmosphere. Personally I like to race to win but I believe that the owners of the yachts really enjoy this style and that is great.” Bouwe commented this year that, “This is a really good [season] kick-off regatta. The sailing is important but the fun also helps put your team together, which is good for the owners and the crew because we have a good time, and that is what it is all about. Speaking to my owner he is really keen to do a Round Antigua Race, even if it is not part of the regatta. It would be nice to have a Superyacht Trophy and have a go at the record. Nilaya has sailed around the island at record pace but that was unofficial.”
The 2020 Notice of Race for the 10th edition was announced with the 2020 edition moving to a new date 11-15 March, just before St. Barths Bucket when many superyachts are in race mode.
About The Superyacht Challenge
This ninth edition of the regatta is still proving popular with six Superyachts taking part, in two different classes. Designed to be solely for the pleasure of superyacht owners, their guests and crew, the fleet takes part in four days of close racing, using the International Superyacht Racing Rule. With daily pursuit races along the stunning south coast of Antigua and laid back social events, The Superyacht Challenge Antigua is a wonderful celebration of sailing.
About the Builder
Baltic Yachts
Nilaya Photo © Claire Matches
NILAYA wins the Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta 2016
Virgin Gorda, B.V.I. (March 12th, 2016) – Filip Balcaen’s NILAYA, the Reichel/Pugh and Nauta designed Baltic 34m, beat out rival Inoui to become the overall Class A winner, despite a a most spectacular spinnaker blow-out at the end of the first downwind leg in the final race. She also took home the Boat International Media Trophy 2016 for the top scored superyacht overall at the 2016 Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta in Virgin Gorda, B.V.I. Reichel/Pugh-designed and Baltic-built 67m ketch Hetairos finished second overall in Class B. Read More …
Nilaya Earns Overall Prize at Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous
Virgin Gorda, BVI (March 23, 2014) – The 2014 edition of the Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous took to the glistening waters of Virgin Gorda last week for three days of lively racing. Read More …
Newport Beach, CA (August 25, 2019) – Congratulations to Alec Oberschmidt and his team for the overall win (and B division win for the third year in a row) at the 2019 Long Point Race Week aboard their Reichel/Pugh-designed 50’ racer Staghound. David Clark’s ULDB 70 Grand Illusion with Reichel/Pugh-designed keel and rudder appendages was 2nd in ORR Division. Grand Illusion won the Transpac overall in 2015. 
Cowes, Isle of Wight (August 17, 2019) – Mark Rijkse’s Reichel/Pugh-designed GP42 42° South (ex-Seawonder 007) shone brightly at the 2019 COWES WEEK, scoring four bullets in six races to win Class IRC 0, winning the prestigious Brittania Cup and New York Yacht Club Challenge Cup in two of those races. 
A piece of Dr. Skip Sheldon’s legacy lives on as his 66’ racer-cruiser Zaraffa continues to win with the grateful U.S. Naval Academy Varsity Offshore Sailing Team.
As the 50th Transpac kicks off this week Reichel/Pugh wishes all owners and crews a safe race, especially our very own Naval Architect and Structural Engineer David Oliver who is navigator aboard the 60’ Good Call.
Porto Cervo (June 8, 2019) – The 12th edition of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta was organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in the waters of Porto Cervo, Sardinia and hosted 20 boats ranging from 25 to 52 metres in length. Reichel/Pugh-designed 100’ Magic Carpet3, owned by YCCS member Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, won Class “A” ahead of the 33-metre Inoui and the Wally 107 Open Season with a perfect scoreline across all three races. The Silver Jubilee Cup, assigned to the top yacht over 30 metres with an interior cruising set-up and in the division with the most competitors, also went to the WallyCento Magic Carpet3. Jim Pugh was apart of the racing team.
Ensenada, Mexico (April 28, 2019) – Congratulations to all competitors in the 72nd annual Newport to Ensenada (125nm). On the heels of its 2018 Sydney-Hobart victory, the Australian-based Reichel/Pugh 66’ Canting Keel Mini Maxi ALIVE (formerly Black Jack & Stark Raving Mad) earned the NOSA Trophy for overall best elapsed time, the Amigo Trophy awarded to a first-time skipper and the Lahaina Yacht Club Trophy for best elapsed time all PHRF. Congratulations to owner Phillip Turner, skipper Duncan Hine and the entire Alive Yachting team. 
RP100 Black Jack is Winner of 2019 Brisbane to Gladstone Line Honors and Four Cities Cup for best performing yacht.
St. Barths (April 21, 2019) — Launched in 2010, Les Voiles de St. Barth is an event created specifically to keep the long, colorful history of racing on the island vibrant — building on Loulou’s Regatta back in the 1970’s with its 100 sailboats to the Transat AG2R, the Route du Rose, and the St Barth Bucket Regatta. The 2019 regatta marked the 10th anniversary and fielded scores of teams across nine classes, despite the remaining traces of hurricane Irma, which ravaged the island in September 2017.