- Legendary yachts such as the Moonbeam III and IV along with winners like Alba and Yanira have already confirmed they’ll be with us July 13th to the 16th
- At this point, 27 ships have already signed up – more than any of the previous eight editions
- Other nautical gems including the Manitou, Avel and Kelpie of Falmouth are also expected to confirm their participation in the coming days
With less than a month left before the 9th annual Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona regatta, the prestigious line-up already includes 27 yachts, a record-breaking number that exceeds all eight of the previous editions’ registration lists at this point in the countdown. In general, sign-ups surge during the final days leading up to the regatta, which this year will be held July 13th to the 16th at the Barcelona Royal Yacht Club (Real Club Náutico de Barcelona – RCNB).
Legendary classic and vintage yachts – such as the Moonbeam IV, on which Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco spent their 1956 honeymoon, the Mariette, built in 1915 and requisitioned by the US Coast Guard during WWII to protect the western seaboard, and the Eilean, built in 1931 in Scotland which has crossed the Atlantic 14 times, including a few manned solely by its owner, John Shearer – have already confirmed their participation.
Other noteworthy participants this year include winners of previous editions, like the Alba, a four-time champion of the classic yachts category, Yanira, proud recipient of two Puig Vela Classica trophies in the same category, and the Moonbeam III, which shares the four-time winner prestige with the Alba, but in the Big Boat category.
Looking forward to the return of the Manitou and the Avel
As has often been the case in previous years, we’re expecting the majority of sign-ups to pour in during the final days leading up to the event. Nautical legends like the Manitou, John F Kennedy’s presidential ship, the Avel, built in 1896 and buried in the dredges of a river in the southeastern England for 63 years, or Kelpie of Falmouth, built in 1929 and winner of many international regattas, have all joined previous editions of the Puig Vela Classica Regatta and will certainly come back to sail in the Barcelona waters this summer.
All these iconic gems, despite their age and refurbishment, have managed to maintain their original spirit and can be admired from several lookouts along the city’s shoreline.
All these iconic gems, despite their age and refurbishment, have managed to maintain their original spirit and can be admired from several lookouts along the city’s shoreline.
Many of these nautical treasures were abandoned in harbors, forgotten in rivers and lakes, or destroyed by hurricanes and left virtually unusable. But thanks to the dedication and passion of a few sailors, they have been resurrected and compete in all the headliner national and international events. Barcelona is the world’s only major city that can offer such an elegant, exclusive and beautiful regatta!
See the current list of participants here: http://www.puigvelaclassica.com/entries/
Video with beautiful images of this traditional regatta: http://www.puigvelaclassica.com/?p=4362
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