Palma chat

Jim Turner talks about life at the Copa del Rey

Jim Turner was part of GBR Challenge for the America's Cup and since his return to the UK has continued with his professional sailing and also become partner in a new marketing and branding company based in Hampshire.

He is currently racing on board the British-owned and Spanish-based IMS 500 Cristabella. A Judel-Vrolijk 48, Cristabella was built by Neville Hutton in Lymington and launched earlier this year.

The Daily Sail: So what is the weather and the racing conditions like in Palma?

Jim Turner: Well, it’s very hot. Bloody hot actually, hitting the high 30s in the early afternoon. The sea-breeze pretty much kicks in on the dot at 1pm, which has happened every day so far. What this means though is we get to go racing when the sea breeze, usually around 8-13 knots, has established itself. The problem comes on two-race days. When we have the second race what has tended to happen is the big boats in our class [the 50+ footers] have managed to complete the race before the sea-breeze has started to weaken. At around 5pm the breeze is dying to 6 knots, so it benefits the bigger boats in both classes.

TDS: There’s a bit of Royalty competing, what’s that like?

JT: It’s really interesting. The King of Spain walks around the yacht club like you or I would, but you can’t just stroll into the club like at Cowes Week! In the big class there are four Royal boats, the King is on Bribon, the Prince on Cam, the Princess on Azur de Puig and then there’s King Harold of Norway on Fram. It does bring a lot of media attention to the event, all the boats have big sponsors and the event is a real big deal here in Spain. There’s also a bit of promotion for Palma going on as it’s still on the shortlist to host the America’s Cup, which the King is putting some weight behind.

TDS: The Grand Soleil boats seem to be doing well, why is that?

JT: Well they are being well sailed to start with. The Subaru team are pretty flush with Prada guys, so is the Vasco Vascotto Italtel boat. In both classes the boats win the races on the water as well as handicap, so by being ahead and quick they are saving their time. They are also managing to finish ahead of the dying breeze.

TDS: How are you doing on Cristabella ?

JT: Fine - we’re 9th overall, with a 6, 11, 9 and 5th. We are only halfway through at the moment with another five races scheduled. As we’re smaller than the fastest boats we are finding that we get shunted up behind them a bit, then you need to find lanes and get some clear air, which means we’re sailing around a bit. Really we need to be smaller to avoid this. Balearia is a Grand Soleil 42, which has been souped up to rate in IMS 500 and is in seventh place behind all the 52+ footers!

TDS: Is there any protest action going on?

JT: Now that is funny, classic IMS going on here. The Measurement Committee made everyone take their lifeline padding off, some stuff about the rubber being banned under the rule. So it has meant we have been hiking over cheese wire - the offshore race was tight reaching, full hiking in 10 knots of breeze! Also Siemens Mobile, a Puma 42, brand new from Vision Yachts, racing in the IMS 600 class were check measured on the second day, they then withdrew and have been craned out since. Everyone is wondering what has happened there.

TDS: Finally, what’s the social like?

JT: There’s a big sort of village in the Marina, with a beer tent, which apparently is serving free beer. We haven’t been in there, but I suppose free beer has got to be good...


Racing the Copa del Rey continues until Sunday.