"Artako" by Juan Olavarri, winner among the classic ships.

The Copa Gitana-Viña Pomal 2016 for classic, age and spirit of tradition, concluded in the Vizcaina waters of the Abra in a completely summer weekend. The ships of past times, true floating museum pieces, returned as every July with the J 80, which completed their Bizkaia Championship with the triumph of José Azqueta's' Biobizz '. On the other hand, the Canadian' Starfire 'of Kaspar Schibli defeated in the time ships, the' Artako 'of Juan Olabarri on the classic ships and the' Taramay Urbegi 'of Javier Larrañaga did so in the category of spirit of tradition. The three maintained the leadership of the Gitana- Viña Pomal Cup in the Abra waters, at the first end of the three tours scheduled by the organization of the Royal Abra Maritime Club.

Full of victories for the "Starfire" in the old ship division.

The 'Starfire', with full victories in the three trials, premiered in the test of the season ships, the boats launched until 31 December 1949 (with more than 67 years old) and dethroned the 'Asti V' of Ibon Basáñez. The 'Artako' added its fifteenth title to the classic ships (launched between 1 January 1950 and 31 December 1975 - between 41 and 66 years old -) in a very special event that began to be held there in 1904. The 'Artako', winner of the three tours, overtook the 'Iris III', 'Cantarepe' and 'Atón'. For its part, the 'Taramay Urbegi' met its favorite status in another class, that of ships built before 31 December 1991 (spirit of tradition). In addition, the "Biobizz 'by José Azqueta, with 5 points, was awarded the Bizkaia Championship between the J 80 monotypes in front of the" Mandovi' by Ramón Zubiaga (13 points) and the "Fingolfin 'by Gonzalo CHA varri (17 points).

First Day: Start in the Open the Gitana- Viña Pomal

The Copa Gitana-Viña Pomal 2016 for classic, epoch and spirit of tradition, which is disputed at best two tests during this weekend, started in the Vizcaina waters of the Abra. The ships of past times, which maintain an elegance and dominion worthy to admire, returned as every July. The 'Starfire ' of Kaspar Schibli on the ships of the time, the 'Artako ' of Juan Olabarri on the classic ships and 'Taramay Urbegi ' of Javier Larrañaga in the category of spirit of tradition, they aspire to win the Copa Gitana-Viña Pomal in the waters of the Abra, at the end of the first two tours in the inaugural day scheduled by the organization of the Real Club Marítimo del Abra-Real Sporting Club.

The Copa Gitana- Viña Pomal the "dean" started, as it dates back to 1904.

The 'Starfire ' He seeks to premiere in the test and the 'Artako' pursues its fifteenth title in the classic ships (launched between 1 January 1950 and 31 December 1975 - between 41 and 66 years old -) in a very special quote. The 'Taramay Urbegi ' It is also favorite in another class, that of ships built before 31 December 1991. On its side, the 'Biobizz ' José Azqueta, with 4 points, leads the Bizkaia Championship among the J 80 monotypes ahead of the 'Mandovi ' de Ramón Zubiaga (9 points). This Sunday is the final day of the Gitana Cup starting at one in the afternoon.

Previous: The jewels of the candle in the Gitana- Viña Pomal

One more summer, in the middle of July, it is time to discover in the Vizcaina waters of the Abra to the jewels of the candle. They are the sailing boats that have been going through the seas for decades and decades, and they take part in the Copa Gitana- Viña Pomal 2016 for classic ships, of time and spirit of tradition, which is held to the best of two tests: Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 July (both with departure scheduled for 13 hours) with the organization of the Real Club Marítimo del Abra - Real Sporting Club, which presented this beautiful competition. The distance to be travelled in each of the two days in the waters of the Abra, at the oldest nautical event in the country, will be about 10 miles. Around 20 ships will compete in this race created in 1904 by the Real Sporting Club. Some of the participants' ships carry thick masts, others treasure elements in precious metals or noble woods loaded with much history. Thus they return to the Abra the ships of past times, which retain an innate elegance and worthy to admire in this Gitana- Viña Pomal.

The course of the tests, with these floating museum pieces, will be done according to the wind, to facilitate the navigation of the classic and the time ships. Sailing fans and the general public will be able to enjoy from different points of the coast, especially from Punta Galea, the beautiful images that will offer these wonders of the candle. The 18th Gitana-Viña Pomal 2016 is disputed in several categories: Epoco and Classic Boats, in addition to the category Spirit of Tradition. The organization also delivers the Enrique Arriola Trophy to the Best Conservation (fifth edition) and the Trophy to the Best Restoration; as well as to the first of each class. There will also be competition between the J 80 monotypes, which also play on these dates their corresponding Bizkaia Championship.

- ARCOS OF APOCA: Bottled until 31 December 1949 (over 67 years old).
- CLASICAL BARKS: Backed between 1 January 1950 and 31 December 1975 (between 41 and 66 years old).
- TRADITION SPIRIT: Built before 31 December 1991.

The Vizcaina waters of the Abra thus look back several decades to offer the weekend of July 16 and 17 a picture similar to those historical postcards of undoubted beauty. This is the occasion to remember old times and to enjoy some boats ('Artako', Asti V ',' Cantarepe ',' Bon Temps', 'Balenharri', 'Westward of Clynder', 'Paapsud', 'Iris III', 'Skylark'...) with decades of navigation under its keels and considered as fantastic sailing jewels. The 2015 Gitana Cup was won by the 'Asti V', 'Artako' and 'Taramay Urbegi'. The three maintained their unquestionable hegemony in this July test. The 'Asti V' of Ibón Basáñez has already won 11 times among the ships of the time; the 'Artako' of Juan Olábarri has achieved it in 14 editions among the classic ships and is the undisputed king of the test; and the 'Taramay Urbegi' has paid in recent years to the triumph in the category of spirit of tradition. This triplet of boats has been awarded the last three years this race that was created in 1904. They are the crews to beat at the Gitana- Viña Pomal Cup in 2016.

The fleet participating in the Gitana Cup in one of the last editions.

History of the Gitana Cup
112 years ago, the Victorian cantabre López Doriga became a partner of the Sporting to be able to participate in a race. Sailing with his ship 'Butterfly', he managed to win it. In that far away year of 1904, he knew that his name was going to pass into history as the first winner of the Gitana Cup. After 112 years, and became the oldest race in the Royal Abra Maritime Club - Real Sporting Club, it remains one of the most precious trophies of this entity.

At that time, the ships paid five pesetas for the registration in each of the five tests of the Gitana Cup. After López Doriga, it was Julio Arteche who, in 1905, registered his name in the palmarés. Then the Count of Zubiria and the lords of Artheche did. Until 1911, the Palmarés of the Gitana Cup saw Alfonso XIII as the winner, who was imposed in that edition on board the 'Giralda II'.

In this edition of the Gitana-Viña Pomal Cup, the measurement system is changed by using the JCH Jauge Classique Handicap system, which is used in France especially in the Atlantic area and also in Galicia. It is a system created specifically for classic ships that is based on 7 general principles: Equality (same opportunities for each ship); Adaptation (to the classic ships); Pedagogical (Self-declaration of the shipowner and simplicity of the measurement); Free; Universal (Conceived for unique and all types of ships); Transparent (the formula is in permanent evolution, it is known and the certificates of each ship are in sight of all); and Objective (based on known and measurable parameters).

About Viña Pomal

Viña Pomal, the brand of Riojana wine of Bodegas Bilbainas, has not hesitated to join the nautical event with more history of the country and thus reaffirm its indisputable commitment to the classic. Like the Gitana Cup, since its first appearance in 1908, the wines of Viña Pomal have been able to adapt to the new times without losing sight of their original characteristics, as well as to embody the best wine tradition of the Rioja Alta. That is why one of the most exceptional wines in the country, which has remained true to the style of the authentic Rioja since its origins, has wanted to join this initiative and pay tribute to all those who like Viña Pomal remember the classic and the traditional.