- OJALA II, RECLUTA, KANAVEL, ORIOLE, COMET, VIVEKA, ANIMA II, KOOKABURRA, NORTHERN LIGHT, and OLIMPIAN win in their respective categories.
- A memorable edition in classic sailing: 77 boats and over 800 sailors in the 17th edition of the Puig Vela Clàssica Regatta
- Unprecedented gathering of classic categories: the 12M, 15M, and P-Class make sailing history
The XVII Puig Vela Clàssica Regatta successfully concludes its most spectacular edition, securing its position as a global benchmark in classic sailing. With 77 boats and over 800 sailors, this edition leaves an indelible mark on the history of the competition and classic sailing in Spain.
The coincidence with the America’s Cup in time and space, in the waters of the Catalan coast, along with the proximity of the racecourse over these 4 days, has left spectacular images for both professionals and sailing enthusiasts. Special mention goes to the 12M, legends in the America’s Cup in the 70s and 80s, who have undoubtedly been the protagonists this year. Along with the 15 meters, the P-Class of the era, and the rest of the classic categories, they have made history by coming together for the first time in a single event, offering an unprecedented exhibition in the world of classic sailing, which will go down in history.
This seventeenth edition concludes with three competitive days of racing, with only the inaugural day – reserved exclusively for the 12 Meters – being canceled due to rain and lack of wind.
Today, the southern wind started at around 8 knots, strengthening throughout the courses to peaks of 14 knots. While the 12 Meters competed in windward-leeward races in their own racecourse, the other fleets sailed a 15.1-mile course.
Keith Miles’ Viveka triumphed today in the Big Boats category by just over a minute ahead of The Lady Anne, helmed by Gonzalo Botín, who comfortably surpassed the two 15 Meters, Tuiga and Mariska. The final tie at 6 (4-1-1) points between Viveka and The Lady Anne (2-2-2) was broken in favor of Viveka due to better partials. Another tie at 11 points for third place was decided by Mariska’s better partials (1-6-4) over Tuiga (3-5-3).
In Classic I, Germán Frers’ Recluta confirmed its dominance by returning to the docks of the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona with another first-place finish. With 3 points, it defeated Andrés de León’s Yanira (2-2-2) and Pepe de Miguel’s Kahurangi. In Classic II, Barbara Trilling’s Argos pushed hard for the final victory, but today’s win by Javier Mestre’s Kanavel thwarted their goal, finishing with 7 and 8 points respectively. Alba, helmed by Ronnie Peters, secured third place, with Andrew Harvey’s Clarionet finishing fourth.
In Modern Classic, the leadership changed hands due to today’s victory by Christian Hentschel’s Anima II over Jens Rinke’s Legolas. Jordi Puig completed the podium with his Phidias
In Classics IOR, the standings also shifted when Susan Caroll’s Ojala II won the third race, and the previous leader, Encounter, finished third today. Vittorio Cavazzana’s Emeraude, second today, tied at 8 points with Encounter, which ultimately prevailed due to better partials.
Interestingly, the top five finishers in today’s race for the Bermudian Época category mirrored the final results. Marc Marciano’s Comet won with 5 points, followed by Jordi Cabau’s Sonat with 8 points, Chris Bake’s Skylark of 1937 with 10 points, Claudio Mealli’s Amorita with 11 points, and Griff Rhys’ Argyll with 18 points. Another change in the final standings occurred in the Gaff Rigged category, when Juan Carlos Eguiragay’s Oriole won today’s race, tying and breaking the tie in their favor with Kostia Belkin’s Viola, who finished second today. Paolo Zannoni’s Chinook confirmed third place with the same result in today’s race.
In the P-Class Cangreja category, Sylvan Duculty’s Olympian continued to dominate their rivals, winning this Puig Vela Clàssica with three partial victories. Today’s second place by Bernard Liataud’s Corinthian was insufficient to overtake Sebastian Bazin’s Chips for the silver.
The legendary 12M
The 12 Meter French Kiss, helmed by Marc Pajot, was the only rival of Kookaburra II capable of winning a partial, surpassing them in the first race of the day. The remaining partials (2-3) of the French boat allowed them to secure the third step of the final podium with 21 points, following Joahan Blanch’s Kiwi Magic (today 3-3-2) with 18 points. The allowed discard in this class enabled Torben Grael’s team to count all first-place finishes and total a decisive final result of 7 points in Division A.
In the fleet of more vintage boats – grouped in Division D – two races were sailed, and there were no surprises. Hans Eliasson’s Northern Light needed only to win the first race and not finish the second, which they discarded, to win with 6 points. James Patrick’s Vim secured the partial victory in the last race, after finishing second in the previous one, totaling 11 points to confirm their second place on the podium. Thomas Muller’s Jenetta completed the honorary podium with 17 points.
GENERAL CLASSIFICATIONS PUIG VELA CLÁSSICA REGATTA 2024
You can check all the results here
- CLÀSSIC IOR: OJALA II
- CLÀSSIC I: RECLUTA
- CLÀSSIC II: KANAVEL
- ÈPOCA CANGREJA: ORIOLE
- ÈPOCA BERMUDIAN: COMET
- BIG BOAT: VIVEKA
- MODERN CLASSIC: ANIMA II
- 12 M JI – DIVISIÓ A – GRAND PRIX: KOOKABURRA
- 12 M JI – DIVISIÓ D – TRADITIONAL: NORTHERN LIGHT
- CLASE P: OLIMPIAN
