The Alba del RCN Barcelona has been one of the great winners. Photo: Martínez Studio

On Saturday, the 9th edition of the Barcelona Puig Vela Classica race, which has been held since July 13 in the waters of the City of Condal, was completed. Classical and epoch boats from nine countries have competed for one of the most prestigious trophies in the Mediterranean.

The winners of this ninth edition have been Sonata, Marigold, Guia, Moonbeam III and Alba, who has become the most often won the general of the Puig Vela Classica Barcelona with its five titles.

A very equal last day

The third test has put the gold brooch to the Puig Vela Classic Regata, a ninth edition that has offered the best wind conditions throughout the three days of competition to date. With the thermal wind of the South (Garhí) and 10-12 knots of intensity, the third and last scheduled test was played, sailing each category on its own beacons.

The departure of the Big Boats has offered the most intense moment of this edition, when the Moonbeam IV left to port, but unable to cut the bow to the Eleonora has chosen to turn to respect the preference of passage. This turn left the Moonbeam III in a very bad situation, choosing to turn in search of free wind, but it has been found that the Sumurun took advantage to turn it right in the bow and leave it in its area of detachment. With the two dance couples following their respective compasses, they started the four sections and 7.13 miles, during which the Moonbeam III has managed to recover and win the race. The victory of the day has allowed him to match the final score of the Moonbeam IV, but his best partials (1-3-1) against those of his rival (2-1-2) allow him to untie the tie in his favor.

The final photo outcome in the category Epoco Marconi, where the results of the day after its four-section and 6.15-mile tour have turned yesterday's classification. The victory of Jordi Cabau's Sonata, followed by Halloween and Islander, has led to a triple tie to 6 points. After identical partial of the three ships, the unbound has been diluted according to the result of the last test, with Sonata, Halloween and Islander classified in this order. In the Crab Times there was no change of leader, as the Marigold imposed and added a new first to his partial locker. The Kelpie of Falmouth again signed a second place, with which he secured the subchampionship, just as the Gipsy tied the third step of the final podium.

The two categories of Classics, in which there have been no surprises, have sailed 8.3 miles in six sections. The guide of Ramón Rosés has dominated all the days in Classics 1, although his victory today has been by a hasty 10-second margin over Halloween and 56 over Yanira. The best partial of Halloween has allowed him to overcome the Yanira in the final classification of the trophy. In Classics 2, Damian Ribas has not had his pulse tempered by typing the Alba, adding to his third partial triumph. The Kanavel, today third, has been able to defend the second place in the final classification against the Atrevid, which today ended fourth. The second place of the day has been for the Argos of Barbara Trilling, which ends this Regata Puig Vela Classica in sixth place, after being penalized on the first day with 12 points.

Second day (15 / 07 / 2016) - Spectacular coastal race in Puig Vela Classica Barcelona

The ships of the Puig Vela Classica Barcelona sailing in front of the beaches. Photo: Martínez Studio

Thousands of people today enjoyed the second day of the IX Puig Vela Classica Barcelona race as the tour arranged by the organization took place near the Barcelona coast, from the Port Forum to the Hotel W. The sailboats have sailed very close to the coast so that the public has been able to enjoy, one more day, this unique show of nautical jewels.

One of the main attractions of the race is that, due to the very characteristics of the competition, the sailboats sail very together, making it possible for the crews to look very closely at the navigation maneuvers of their competitors and to make the race more difficult.

A coastal tour

The conditions offered by the Barcelona regatta field have again been excellent in the second day of the Puig Vela Classica Regata. The thermal wind of the south Garby has again been present, blowing today between 12 and 14 knots of intensity. The strong current against the wind has made the tidal area very short and vertical, making ships of medium and small length uncomfortable.

The race committee has chosen to make a coastal tour for the five categories. The classic and epoch fleets have shared stage: six sections and a distance of 13.7 miles, while the Big Boats have sailed 17.8 miles in different sections.

The day began with the hearing of a protest, which involved the ships Nerissa and Argos for an incident in the pre-departure of yesterday's test. Finally, the jury decided to disqualify both ships, the Nerissa for not being separated from the Argos, and the latter for not having avoided the approach, which "technically" was, although without any danger or material or personal consequences.

Thus, the Alba of Damian Ribas, who was a leader in Classics 2, confirmed his aspirations to the final triumph after winning today's trial, this time for a hasty margin of 21 seconds over the Kanavel, while the Argos was third, less than a minute from his eternal rival. In Classics 1, the new victory of the Guia, by Ramón Rosés, with almost two minutes of advantage over the Yanira. Thirty seconds later, the Outlaw ended third.

In the Marconi Epoch, today the Islander has been imposed, with a hasty margin of 13 seconds over the Sonato, while Halloween, third, was already classified 2: 40 minutes from the winner. Similar results to those of yesterday have been given today in the Epoco Marconi class, imposing the Marigold, followed by the Kelpie of Falmouth and the Gipsy, who has tried to surprise them by taking the marinated exit to port.

The Big Boat Moonbeam IV has been imposed on Sumurum and Moonbeam III, while the Eleonora has been wrong at the beacon of the second stretch, sailing several additional miles, which have been considerably delayed.

In the absence of the last test, which will be disputed tomorrow, the sum of the two results in some categories offer a clear favorite to the final victory, while others promise intense duels for the outcome of their podium squares. In Epoch Marconi is where things are more equal, as the Islander, with 3 points (2-1), will try to defend itself from the Halloween attack, which adds up to one point (1-3), while the Sonata accumulates only 2 more (3-2) than the leader. Tomorrow they will compete for the victory of the day and the absolute.

The struggle in Classics 1 will also be intense, although this time for the consolation squares, because the Guia enjoys 4 points of advantage (1-1) over the persecutor group. The trio of ships made up of Yanira, Samarkand and Outlaw is tied to 6 points and tomorrow they come out with everything in the air.

In Classics 2, the Alba will be a leader with two points of margin (1-1) respect for the Kanavel (2-2), and 5 over the Atrevid (3-4). The Argos (12-3) holds the sixth place in the provisional classification, but it will certainly try to rinse the 4 points that separate it from the fourth final place. The forecasts in the Crab Epoch boast the final triumph for the Marigold, with 2 points (1-1), but it must avoid errors in order not to be overcome by the Kelpie of Falmouthy or the Gipsy.

The Puig Vela Classic trophy for the Big Boats is still at stake, as the Monnbeam IV leads with a point of advantage (1-2) over the Moonbeam III (1-3) and two over the Sumurum (3-2), since the Eleonora (4-4) is ruled out for the final victory.

First day (14 / 07 / 2016): Moonbeam III, Guia, Argos, Marigold and Halloween, first leaders in Barcelona

Spectacular classical and epochal ships surpass the Catalan waters. Photo: Martínez Studio

Barcelona has again lived an unforgettable date with the legends of the Sea in the IX Regata Puig Vela Classica Barcelona. The most historic and glamour sailing boats on the planet have enjoyed thousands of Barcelona and tourists since noon, who have been able to see from the coast the spectacular maneuvers of more than 40 classic and epoch sailing boats. About 500 regatists from very different countries have made every effort to finish the tour in the shortest possible time, with the aim of being the leaders after the first day of the race, a competition that is included in the official calendar of the Real Federación Española de Vela and is notable for the Spanish Championship of Classics and Epoch.

First leaders of the general classification

The first day has not let anyone down. The competition day has started on time at 13: 10 with the departure of the fleet of Classics, then the Epoch and finally the majestic Big Boats.

The wind has exceeded expectations, as the projected south-east of 12 knots has given way to a thermal of Garbí (South), which began blowing with about 13 knots, to progressively strengthen until 15- 16. Without just waves and with a splendid sun, the race field has offered excellent conditions to compete, which has allowed the Regatas Committee to ride three different routes, so that each of the categories (Big Boats, Epoch and Classics) has the best technical conditions, a distance according to its performance and to avoid an excess of fencing rushes, in order to enable them to develop their full potential. A new bet that in turn has made fleet times more compact and the race, therefore, more spectacular.

The Classics have sailed the largest route, completing 9.8 miles away in five sections, which have given an opportunity to correct errors and recover length. The older ones, the Classics 1, have had in the Guide of Ramón Rosés a solid leader, who in addition to crossing the goal in first position has been imposed after the formula of compensation of times. Second has been the Samarkand, 2: 20 minutes, surpassing the Outlaw for just 5 seconds.

The two great favorites in Classics 2, Argos and Alba, have confirmed the forecasts. A better way out by barlovent of the Argos has allowed him to stand out, while the Alba minimized damage after a first less successful stretch and tried to keep himself to a shot thinking of compensated time. Finally, the Argos of Barbara Trilling confirmed his good doing, while the Alba could go up to the second square, exceeding the Kanavel for only 21 seconds, after applying the time compensation.

Less distance has come to the ships of Epoch. In particular, 7.23 miles in four sections, after which the Marigold, patrolled by Jason Gouldstone, was imposed in the Crab Epoch class on the Kelpie of Falmouth and the Bonita Girl. The victory in the Epoco Marconi fleet has been for Mick Cotter's Halloween for just 24 seconds, after applying the time compensation, exceeding the Islander and, for more than 2 minutes, the Sonata.

The Big Boats closed the departure shift, and since the previous moments the strong competitiveness they always exhibit in the Puig Vela Classic Regata has been seen. Although Laurence Waechejer's Moonbeam III was finally in the second line and without a clean wind, he was soon looking for options to find a free wind and to squeeze out all its potential, which finally allowed him to win after applying time compensation. A little more than a minute has been their difference from the Moonbeam IV, while the debutante Sumurun and the Eleonora completed the classification in this order.

Previous (13 / 07 / 2016) - The IX Puig Vela Classica gives glamour to the waters of Barcelona

The majestic classic sailboats will wear Catalan waters (Photo Martínez Studio)

Everything is prepared at the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona (RCNB) to start the IX Regata Puig Vela Classica Barcelona, the only opportunity to see in Spain the most historic and glamour sailing boats in the world competing to be the champion among the legends of the sea. The City of Condal becomes from today to Saturday the nautical capital of the Mediterranean, by accommodating the most appreciated jewels of the international candle. In this edition, almost half a hundred of the most attractive and classic sailing boats of the orbe, representing nine countries, compete off the coast of Barcelona in a show that no other great city in the world can enjoy. Whether from the beach or from the Port Olimpic, Barcelona citizens and tourists will be able to enjoy the viscous maneuvers of these mythical ships.

The 9th edition of the Puig Vela Classica Barcelona Regata reunites a great international representation, with ships from the United States, Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland and Spain. As in previous editions, it is divided into five categories: Classics 1 and Classics 2 (both prior to 1976 and classified by size), Époco Marconi and Époco Craja (both prior to 1950 and listed by the type of candle) and Big Boats (whose length must exceed 23 meters).

The sports program provides for the dispute of a maximum of four tests, held on routes between beacons or coasts, according to the conditions of the wind in the field of Barcelona regatas. The expected time for the first departure (Classics) is at 13: 00 tomorrow, Thursday. The other categories will follow. According to the weather parts, the conditions will be favourable, as moderate winds of a southern component are announced, ranging from 10 to 12 knots of intensity.

High level among participants

This year, the competition is again at the highest level, as most of the winners will be present in the previous eight editions: Alba (2015, 2012, 20111 and 2008), Yanira (2013 and 2010) Argos (2009). The ships of Epoch also include prestigious sailboats, such as the Marigold, which rose triumphant in the Crab category the last two editions, as did the Gipsywhich rose to the top of the podium in the same category in 2008 and 2011. While among the participants in the Epoco Marconi class the Amorita, winner of this trial in 2008, 2011 and 2015.

Finally, the Big Boats will again raise passions for their spectacularity in the races. They also have the participation of most champions of previous courses, such as the Moombeam III, owner and master of this test with four titles (2015, 2013, 2012 and 2010), and Moonbeam IV, who broke the hegemony of his homonymous in 2014. But these leaders will not have it easy, because they have great competitors, such as the Mariette, a regular of this competition, and the Sumurumwhich debuts with the pedigree of having several victories in other international races. The activity at the Real Club Náutico in Barcelona is constant, as the crews of half a hundred participants are making the last preparations on their boats, with the aim of leaving them ready to start the competition tomorrow. It is time to have all the details ready to face with guarantees the IX Regata Puig Vela Classica Barcelona, a social and sports event that has been consolidated as one of the most outstanding competitions of the race calendar of the International Classic Boat Circuit.

Photo Martinez Studio. Courtesy of Puig Vela Classica.

The record of participants in the IX Regata Puig Vela Classica Barcelona

When it is less than a month before the start of the IX Puig Vela Classica Barcelona race, 27 vessels have already registered for their participation, a figure never equal in the previous eight editions four weeks before their celebration. The largest influx of participants is recorded in the days closest to the race, which this year will be held from 13 to 16 July at the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona (RCNB).

So far, they have already secured their participation legends of classic or epoch ships like Moonbeam IV, where they passed their honeymoon Grace Kelly and Rainiero of Monaco in 1956; Mariette, built in 1915 and requisitioned by the service of Guarda Costas of the United States during the Second World War for the surveillance of the West Coast; or Eilean, built in 1931 in Scotland and which has crossed the Atlantic on 14 occasions, some of them only by its owner, John Shearer.

They also stand out among the participants, winners of other editions, such as Alba, who has won four times in the classic boat category; Yanira, who already has two trophies in his possession within the same category; or Moonbeam III, a boat that shares the record of wins, four, with the Alba, but in the Big Boat category.

Waiting for classics like Manitou or Avel

As has happened in previous editions, it is expected that the greatest influx of inscriptions will occur in the next days, as the competition is coming. Legends of the sea like Manitou, which was the presidential ship of John F Kennedy, Avel, built in 1896 and which remained buried in the mud of a river in the south-east of England for 63 years, or Kelpie of Falmouth, built in 1929 and winner of several international tests, are assiduous participants in the Puig Regata and will surely return on this occasion to surf the waters of Barcelona.

All these mythical pieces, which despite their antiquity and restoration continue to preserve their original spirit, can be seen as floating treasures from different points of the city.

Many of these nautical jewels were abandoned in ports, forgotten in rivers, sunk in lakes or ravaged by hurricanes, becoming virtually useless. But thanks to the dream of the passion of the nautical, they have been raised to continue to compete in the main national and international races. Barcelona is the only great city in the world that can offer a show as elegant, exclusive and attractive as this race.

LIST OF INCRITES (17 / 06 / 2016)