More than 50 ships from 12 countries and 600 sailors have competed in the 10th anniversary edition of the race of classics with optimal wind and sea conditions (Photo Nico Martínez)

"Cippino," "Guía," "Alba," "Kelpie of Falmouth" and "Moonbeam III," have been proclaimed winners in their categories of the Puig Vela Clásica organized by the Royal Nautico Club, has ended after three days of competition in Barcelona waters.

In the last manga the Marconi Epoch left the race field with the triple tie of the British Argyll, the Argentine Cippino and the Uruguayan Fjord III. The trio of seekers began by sailing very compact, led by the Argyll, but the Cippino took the initiative by starting the fourth stretch, which allowed him to impose on the arrival and confirm his victory after the compensation of times, worthy of the trophy of the winner. Finally, Fjord III also outperformed Argyll and won the subchampionship.

The Kelpie of Falmouth returned the coin to the Marigold, overcoming it today in the compensation of times in a final of photo- finish: 6 seconds have made the difference of the test and the final victory of the category Epoo Craja. The Malabar X completed the podium, after imposing on the Marigan and the "small" Gipsy, which with this fifth place happily celebrates its 90 anniversary.

The fleet of Classics 1 has seen as the local Guia successfully defended the title of the last edition. The debutante at the Puig Vela Classica, Il Moro di Venezia I, was tied to points, but the second partial position of the Guia and its fourth square of the day have relegated him to the subchampionship. The French Sagittarius has defended the third position, while the Italian Corsario won today's test and went up to the fourth final position. Three partial wins of three have confirmed the state of grace of the Alba in Classics 2, followed in the final table by the Margarita Estalindalamar, which today finished second and could overcome the Kanavel, after today cutting the goal in fifth position.

The duel between the two Big Boats co-leaders began with a better way out of the Moonbeam IV, but its rival Moonbeam III has been able to ride and stay ahead, despite its smaller size, for much of the remaining route, eventually giving only just enough to overcome the Moonbeam IV in time compensated by a minute of margin. The Cambria has been third today and in the general, while the Xarifa 1927 maintained fourth place.

Marconi time division
1. Cippino (YC Argentino) Daniel Sielecki 5 points
2. Fjord III (YC Uruguay) Christine Fox Perry 6 points
3. Argyll (British Classic YC) Griff Rhys Jones 8 points

Crab time division
1. Kelpie of Falmouth (R. Cornwall Y.C.) Asgard Yachts 4 points
2. Marigold (RCNB) Husk LTD 5 points
3. Malabar X (RCNB / AEBEC) Navilier S.L. 10 points

Classic Division 1
1. Guide (RCNB) Ramón Roses 6 points
2. Il Moro di Venezia I (YC Sanremo) Massimiliano Ferruzi 8 points
3. Sagittarius (SR D'Antibes) Thierry Lafitte 9 points

Classic Division 2
1. Alba (RCNB / AEBEC) Damián Ribas 3 points
2. Margaritaestalindalamar (CVP Andratx) Canton de Llano 8 points
3. Kanavel (RCNB / CN Garraf) Javier Mestre 10 points

Big Boat Division
1. Moonbeam III (SN Saint Tropez) Carsten Gerlach 4 points
2. Moonbeam IV (YC Monaco) Tom Van der Bruggen 5 points
3. Cambria (RNCYC) Cambria Yachts LTD 9 points

14 / 07 / 2017: Second day in the Puig Vela Classica of Barcelona and nothing decided

"Guía," "Alba," "Marigold," "Argyll" and "Monnbeam III" have been the winners of the second day of the Puig Vela Classica Barcelona... the alternation of results in today's race has led to maximum equality in four of the five categories, that in the final day of tomorrow they will sail in a handkerchief to get the command in their respective categories.

In the general classification, four of the five categories are tied, so the last day is expected of the most difficult and exciting (Photo Nico Martinez)

The chosen route has been a triangle between beacons, with different composition according to the categories... The Classics went 9.6 miles in five sections, while the Epoch and Big Boats sailed 8 and 7.2 miles in three sections. The new wind conditions and the type of routes have led to changes in the results. In the Big Boats it has been the day of Moonbeam III, able to overcome Moonbeam IV for 42 seconds. A narrow margin gained in large part thanks to the good performance of the winner, avoiding being lost by the Cambria at the end of the first stretch. In addition to the results of the two days, the Moonbeam III is a leader tied to points with the former leader, Moonbeam IV. The Cambria seems to be paid to three, as today he repeated the third place, which he also maintains in the accumulated classification.

The Crab Times have also had a new winner. The Marigold, second yesterday, has surpassed the Kelpie of Falmouth and also tie points after adding the two days. Being the winner of the last contest. The Malabar X and the Marigan also exchanged yesterday's positions, and also in the general. The English Argyll has been very attentive to the beginning of the Marconi Epoch test, and has been able to keep Uruguayan Fjord III and Argentine Cippino in line. Precisely in yesterday's reverse order, causing a triple tie in the accumulated classification, which now leads English, followed by Uruguayan and Argentine.

Also abundant movement in Classics 1, achieving the local ship Guia a relatively comfortable victory over the Samarkand (sixth yesterday), while Il Moro di Venezia finished third, and French Sagitarius today gave up to fourth place. Such that, in the classification, he commands the Guia tied to points with Il Moro di Venezia, while the Sagittaruis goes down to the third square and the Samarkand goes up to the fourth. To highlight today the misresults of the Emeraude, fourth yesterday, which ending in tenth place is ruled out for the final victory. No change of leader in Classics 2, repeating the victory of the Alba ahead of Kanavel, Atrevido, Margarita Estalindalamar and Diana. In the general classification the Alba is separated with 2 points opposite the 5 of the Kanavel, 6 of the Margarita and 7 of the Atrevid.

13 / 07 / 2017: The show of the Puig Vela Classica begins in Barcelona

The first day of the 10 Puig Vela Classica in Barcelona began. A day where, thanks to the right wind conditions, the competition has left unforgettable images and maneuvers for the sailing and nautical history fans.

The four fleets of Classics, Epoco Marconi and Craja, and the impressive Big Boats, have been able to enjoy the 17.2 miles of a very technical coastal route, with varied rounds that led to changes of candles and very demanding maneuvers.

Kelpie of Falmouth, Cippino, IL Moro de Venezia I, Alba, and Moonbeam IV are imposed on the opening (Photo Nico Martínez)

Starting on time at 1 p.m., the participants have left in front of Port Olimpic to face a detour stretch, before sailing to El Masnou. From there they have gone back to Barcelona, passing a buoy in the Besós. The last phase before the goal, included a long dinning in front of the beaches to the hotel W and finish with a short stretch of built-in until the arrival in front of Port Olimpic.

The Italian Il Moro di Venezia has given no choice to its rivals of Classics 1, expressing the possibilities of the ship and right in its tactical decisions. Of course, in real time, the fruit of its larger size, it has also been able to impose itself after the compensation of times. The French Sagittarius and the local Guia, who defends the title, have maintained a close duel throughout the course that has led them to complete the podium of the category.

In Classics 2 the Alba has firmly initiated the defense of the trophy achieved last year, clearly dominating after the compensation of times. Once again the outcome for the second and third position has been very close between the Margaritaestalindalamar and the Kanavel, classified by this order.

The category Epópo Marconi, the largest with its 17 registered, saw the triumph of Argentina Cippino, which was regating for the first time in Europe. This sailboat has been the first to cut the goal after a good strategy and good maneuvers, and it was also imposed in compensated time. The Uruguayan Fjord III was ranked second after clearly exceeding the English Argyl, while the Sonata ended in fourth position.

The Crab Time fleet has had the most adjusted result. The Marigold and the Kelpie of Falmouth have defined their differences for only 18 seconds!, after three and a half hours of competition. Without giving in much, the third Malabar X was classified, which was imposed without outbursts on the Marigan. It is worth the performance of the Gipsy, whose reduced length has meant completing the tour in 4 hours and 42 seconds.

10 / 07 / 2017: La regata Puig Vela Classica Barcelona records historical record of registered

Less than 48 hours to begin the expected tenth edition of the Puig Vela Classica Barcelona, the race celebrates that this year the record of registered with 55 registered boats has been set. This high figure corroborates the international relevance that the Barcelona Puig Vela Classica regatta has acquired over the years to be one of the most important classic circuits in the Mediterranean.

The competition, which is held from July 12 to 15 at the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona (RCNB) will have the presence of ships that have been present since its beginnings such as the Classics Alba, Yanira or Guia, among others, or the Big Boats Moonbeam III and IV.

The spectacular Classical Vela returns to Barcelona. Photo: Martínez Studio

This special edition will also include numerous legends that will compete for the first time in the Barcelona waters. Among them are the French sailboat Sagitarius, the Italians Il Moro de Venezia I and Corsario II (belonging to the Italian Navy), who will compete in the category of Classics. For its part, the Uruguayan Fjord III, which has among its crew the prestigious naval architect German Frers Junior, will do so for the first time in the category Epoch. The impressive Xarifa under the flag of Malta will compete with its almost 50 meters in length in the Big Boats category.

All these ships, coming from England, France, Argentina, Italy, etc., will sail offering a great scene of pure marine tradition in this tenth edition of the Barcelona Puig Vela Classica regatta.

The categories of competition are as follows:

Time: Boats made of wood or metal launched before 31 December 1949.
Classics: Built of wood or metal in accordance with the original plans and launched between 1 January 1950 and 31 December 1975.
Big Boat: Epoque and Classic boats with length from 25 meters.

A show at the sea and at the Museu Marítima in Barcelona

Also, on the occasion of this tenth anniversary, the Museu Maritim of Barcelona will host until the 16th of July "With the Power of the Wind" a photographic exhibition that celebrates the ten years of this sporting event. This unique exhibition, transferred to the capital of Barcelona the essence of the world's classical sailing through the best photographs of the ships that have participated in the competition since its inception in 2008.

The exhibition, which can be visited for free, has 30 large-format images taken by Nico Martínez, a photographer of international prestige who has been able to collect with his objective the best moments of the competition and of ships that exceed the 100 years of history. Also highlighted are the images of Alfred Farré and Luis Fernández, winner and finalist of the international Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image competition in 2014 and 2016, respectively. A prize recognized as the Oscar of nautical photography.