The Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona Regatta reaches its VIII Edition

• After the success of the previous seven editions, the VIII Puig Vela Classica Barcelona has become the reference meeting point for lovers of classic Mediterranean navigation
• This meeting, unique in a European capital, is able to bring the most sophisticated sailing spectacle closer to citizens and tourists
• The routes in the ring will again bring the participating vessels closer to Barcelona beaches so that the whole city can enjoy a unique and exclusive event

Barcelona, 22nd April 2015. Barcelona is getting ready one more year to host the eighth edition of the Regatta Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona, which is going to bring together the best fleet of classic and vintage boats in the Mediterranean. This indispensable meeting for sea lovers will be held from 15th to 18th July at the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona, bringing together the most representative figures from the classic international sailing world.

After its success in the previous seven editions and its projection, both nationally and internationally, these nautical gems from France, Italy, Malta, England or America will sail to the Catalan capital to be partakers of this traditional competition, which has become one of the major events in the classic navigation world. For four days, the whole city will witness a unique spectacle that can be viewed from different locations like Port Vell, Barceloneta or Port Olímpic.

Barcelona: host city of the classic great event of the Mediterranean Sea

As every year, the regatta will be held in Barcelona, reference European city of the Mediterranean Sea. Last year, the Catalan capital broke its own record by hosting 8.4 million tourists; a significant data showing their ability to entertain its visitors thanks to its great cultural and leisure activities, among which the city counts on the Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona Regatta.

In 2014, the sporting event brought together more than 800 sailors, along with lots of sailing lovers that enjoyed this event day after day, thus causing great economic impact on the city. This year Barcelona expects keeping the high level of participation from previous editions.

A unique spectacle of legendary vessels

All those who are going to be this cosmopolitan city will be lucky to admire firsthand centenarian vessels that are authentic masterpieces and constitute a historical legacy which is difficult to quantify.

A clear example is the Moonbeam IV, with the prestige of having sheltered Rainiero of Monaco and Grace Kelly during their honeymoon in 1956, or the Eleonora, an exact replica of the ‘Westward’ North American schooner and considered one of fastest sailboats in the world. Another legend that will sail through Barcelona waters is the Mariette, which was seized by the Coast Guard Service of the United States during II World War for the surveillance the west coast.

Picture award

The staging of these classic yachts at sea is so spectacular that the images of the regatta become true masterpieces worthy to behold. Proof of this is that the winner photo of the renowned worldwide photography contest ‘Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2014’ was taken during the VII Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona by the nautical photographer Alfred Farré.

The photo shows the classic sailboat “Mariquita”, worldwide recognised as one of the most beautiful boats, hitting a wave during the regatta. This stamp has been selected as the official image of the VIII Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona and will be present in all communications of the sporting event.