The XVII Puig Vela Clàssica: a record-breaking year for classic sailing history

• Northern Light, Kookaburra II, Recluta, Olympian, Comet, Kanavel, Oriole, Viveka, and Anima II prevail in their respective classes.
• 77 boats and nearly a thousand sailors from 14 countries competed in the waters of Barcelona.
• The magic of the “other” classics: 12 Metres, Class P, and 15 Metres shine in a unique event.
• The 12Ms and the America’s Cup: A historic link at the Puig Vela Clàssica.
• Legends among the Classics: Marc Pajot and Torben Grael.
• Weather challenges: changing winds and storms tested the skills of the best sailors.

The XVII Puig Vela Clàssica Regatta, held from September 4 to 7, 2024, in Barcelona, marked a milestone in the world of classic sailing. For the first time in sailing history, the 12 Metres, Class P, and 15 Metres gathered together.

Organized, as always, by the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona, the Puig Vela Clàssica broke its previous records, achieving its highest participation. With 77 registered boats from 14 different nationalities and nearly a thousand participating sailors, it confirmed its undisputed leadership in the Spanish sailing scene since its first edition and established itself as one of the most important events on the Mediterranean calendar.

Alongside the thirteen 12 Metre boats, the fleet was grouped into the Vintage category, with its three groups: Bermudian (11 boats), Gaff (7 boats), and Class P (4 boats); Classics, with 21 boats divided into Groups I and II; ten majestic Big Boats; as well as the Classic IOR and Modern Classic, with 7 and 4 participating boats respectively. Among the legendary Class P, which emerged in 1903, only four continue sailing: Chips, Corinthian, Joyant, and Olympian, which competed in this edition. In the 15 Metre class, born in 1909, only three remain active: The Lady Anny, Mariska, and Tuiga, which also gathered for this Puig Vela Clàssica. The mythical 12 Metres, which already held their world title in Barcelona in 2014, returned with 13 registered boats in their Divisions A and B. The presence of the 10 Big Boats also stood out, as few Mediterranean regattas can boast such a level of participation.

Excellent weather for competition

This year, the Puig Vela Clàssica regatta changed its traditional dates from mid-July to September 4-7, as it was included in the Premier Regatta Series organized by the America’s Cup and the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona.

The sports program added this year an extra day of racing for the 12 Metres before the usual three-day schedule. However, complicated weather conditions, rain, and strong storm fronts delayed the start by a day. The prevailing southeast wind only allowed the Garbí to blow for one day, but it blew generously between 8 and 14 knots. While the 12 Metres competed in windward-leeward races on a specially dedicated course, the remaining fleets sailed three different buoy courses each day, but with similar lengths of around 15.5 miles.

“Your majesty, there is no second”

The winners in both divisions of 12 Metres, in Classics II, and in Class P dominated the series from start to finish, much to the dismay of their rivals, making the legendary America’s Cup motto come true.

The 12 Metres Division D, the more vintage wooden boats, saw Hans Ellison’s Northern Light win the first six of out of the seven races and did not start the last one, which they discarded from their final tally. The last race, won by James Patrick’s VIM, confirmed their second place in the final standings with 11 points, while Thomas Muller’s Jenetta accumulated 17 points to complete the podium.

The pre-race favorite in Division A, Kookaburra II, helmed by Torben Grael, nearly achieved a clean sweep, winning six out of seven races and discarding a second-place finish. Although their strongest competitor was Joahan Blanch’s Kiwi Magic, second in the final with 18 points, the honor of winning a race against the victor went to multi-champion Marc Pajot’s French Kiss, who finished third with 21 points.

Naval design legend German Frers succeeded in the three Classics I races with his Recluta, leaving Andrés de León’s Yanira, who consistently took second places, in his wake with six total points. The third place went to Pepe de Miguel’s Kahurangi (4-4-3) with 11 points.

Sylvan Duculty’s Olympian also left nothing to their rivals in Class P Gaff, winning this Puig Vela Clàssica with three partial victories. Bernard Liataud’s Corinthian (4-4-2) secured second place in the third race, winning the tiebreaker for the final bronze against Victor Migraine’s Joyant (3-3-4), but it was not enough to surpass the second-place finisher, Bernard Liautaud’s Chips (2-2-3).

Everything at stake until the end

The outcome in the other categories was uncertain until crossing the finish line of the third and final race. The victory in Vintage Bermudian went to Marc Marciano’s Comet (1-3-1) with 5 points, followed by Jordi Cabau’s Sonata (2-4-2), Chris Bake’s Skylark of 1937 (6-1-3), Claudio Mealli’s Amorita (5-2-4), and Argyll (8-5-5).

In Vintage Cangreja, there was a change of leader on the third day. Juan Carlos Eguiragay’s Oriole (3-1-1) won the partial victory, tying and breaking the tie in their favor with Kostia Belkin’s Viola (1-2-2) with five points. Paolo Zannoni’s Chinook (2-3-3) had no difficulty maintaining third place.

Skipping the start in the first race cost Argos the final victory in Classics II. The three-point penalty raised Barbara Trilling’s final tally (5-2-1) to 8 points, one more than Javier Mestre’s Kanavel (4-1-2), who improved throughout the series. Ariella Cattai’s Crivizzia (1-3 RDG-5) was reclassified in the second race, allowing them to drop Ronnie Peters’ Alba (6-3-3) from the final podium.

There was also a change of leader on the decisive day of this XVII Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona in the Classic IOR and Modern Classic fleets. Vittorio Cavazzana’s Emeraude (4-2-1) won the crucial third race of Classic IOR, allowing them to win the tiebreaker against the previous leader, Bart Weduwer’s Encounter (4-1-2), while Odysseus (3-3-3) consolidated their third position.

In Modern Classic, Jens Rickie’s Legolas (2-1-2) and Christian Hentschel’s Anima II (1-2-1) went out on Saturday, September 7, to compete for the final victory, which was achieved by Anima II by defeating Legolas in the decisive race. Jordi Puig’s Phidias (4-3-3) completed the podium.

The Evolution of the 12 Metre Class and its Legacy in the America’s Cup

In 2024, as a major novelty and exceptionally, the 12 Metre class, a legendary category within the America’s Cup, returned. The class had already celebrated its World Championship in 2014 as part of the VII Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Puig brand.

The International 12 Metre Class began its journey at the beginning of the last century, being one of the boats that competed in the Olympic Games in the consecutive editions of 1908, 1912, and 1920, after the forced break due to the First World War. The America’s Cup experienced its first golden age with the selection of the 12 Metres as paradigm.

With the outbreak of the Second World War, the competition was suspended until 1958. At that time, the expensive J-Class boats gave way to the more affordable and numerous 12 Metres. To do this, it was necessary to modify the Deed of Gift, limiting the waterline length from 65 to 44 feet, which allowed the International 12 Metre Class to be chosen to compete in the America’s Cup.

Thus, in the 1958 edition began the most glorious era of the America’s Cup, which lasted until 1987, when the challenge of New Zealander Michael Fay clung to the rules of the Deed of Gift to challenge Dennis Conner with a gigantic monohull, while the latter successfully defended himself aboard a simple 40-foot catamaran.

The ten editions held between 1958 and 1987 marked the best era of the America’s Cup, thanks to the great acceptance of the 12 Metres, which led to numerous international participations and the reorganization of the challengers’ qualifying series. Legendary boats like Columbia, Weatherly, Constellation, Intrepid, and Courageous (both twice), Australia II, and Stars & Stripes inscribed their names in gold letters in the winners’ list.

As a technological spearhead, which the America’s Cup has always been, some teams found strategic alliances with companies from the then-leading aerospace industry. The emerging use of aluminum in the construction of boats and masts was the field where the most notable advances were made thanks to the 12 Metres.

But it was in 1983 when the 12 Metres starred in the first great milestone of the America’s Cup. Australia II dared to defeat the American Defender for the first time, winning a dramatic 4-3 against Dennis Conner’s Liberty, known as Mr. America’s Cup. A myth of the competition who could save honor by recovering the Hundred Guineas Cup four years later in Australian waters with his Stars & Stripes. The edition held in Fremantle would end up being the last edition contested by the best boat the America’s Cup has ever had, when later New Zealander Michael Fay launched a challenge to Conner subject to the Deed of Gift between a gigantic monohull and a tiny catamaran.

In this XVII edition of the Puig Vela Clàssica Regatta, the 12 Metre fleet competed grouped into two categories, due to the passage of time between the first boats and the more recent ones. Division B are more vintage, built in wood and with less avant-garde sails. Among its 8 participants, the presence of the long-lived Thea (1918) stands out. The five designs of the following generations compete in Division A, highlighting the presence of Kiwi Magic (the first boat built in fiberglass to compete in the 1987 America’s Cup) or Kookaburra II, also owned by Luna Rossa team owner Patrizio Bertelli.

Two legendary sailors at the Puig Vela Clàssica Regatta

Among the lineup of great sailing figures participating in the Puig Vela Clàssica, two names have shone brightly. Frenchman Marc Pajot and Brazilian Torben Grael, both competed in 12 Meters with French Kiss and Kookaburra II, respectively. Both granted us a brief interview during the days of the regatta.

Marc Pajot, olympic silver medalist in Munich 1972 in the Flying Dutchman class and a prominent figure in ocean sailing including victories in the La Baule-Daker (1980), Route du Rhum (1982), and holder of the North Atlantic record, spoke about his participation in the XVII edition of the Puig Vela Clàssica. Pajot, who was twice a semifinalist in the America’s Cup, first in Fremantle 1987 with the 12 Metres French Kiss and then in San Diego 1992 with the IACC Ville de Paris, as well as in San Diego 1995 and Auckland 2000, had previously competed in Barcelona.

“This is my third time sailing here; I previously competed in an IMS 50 regatta and once in Dragon a long time ago. I am very happy to return to the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona, where they always pay great attention to the boats and the sailors,” commented the experienced sailor.

Regarding his return to the 12 Metres after so many years, Pajot expressed his satisfaction: “It is a very beautiful memory for me. I was an Olympic sailor, then I competed in ocean races around the world, and finally, I reached the America’s Cup with French Kiss in 1987. Five of those same crew members are now here in Barcelona, 37 years later!” he noted nostalgically.

Regarding the Puig Vela Clàssica, the French sailor highlighted the quality of the event and the unique opportunity to coincide with the America’s Cup in Barcelona this year. “It is an excellent regatta with a very large fleet, and this year is a special occasion with the America’s Cup in the city,” he stated.

Finally, regarding his expectations in the 12 Metre class, Pajot acknowledged the strength of his rivals. “We know that Kookaburra by Torben Grael and the Italian team are very strong. We love competing with and against them, but our real battle is against the Kiwis, South Australia, and Crusader. We cannot take anything for granted; we have to play, fight, and win,” he concluded.

Torben Grael, five-time Olympic medalist with two golds, one silver, and two bronzes between 1984 and 2000, winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup in Auckland in 2000, and participant in several editions of the America’s Cup; in the 2003 edition also in Auckland, and finalist among the challengers in Valencia 2007, all with the Italian team Luna Rossa, commented on his experience in the XVII edition of the Puig Vela Clàssica. In addition to his extensive Olympic history, Grael has competed in two round-the-world races with stops, finishing third in 2005-06 and winning in 2008-09.

Speaking about the 12 Metre class boats, Grael expressed his admiration. “They are beautiful boats that require a good and well-trained crew for maneuvers. The races in this class are very close and beautiful,” said the Brazilian, who sails aboard Kookaburra II.

Grael explained that his team has made a series of changes to Kookaburra II after the recent World Championship in Porquerolles, France. “We reconfigured the boat, as when it was purchased it still had the Fremantle 1987 setup. Our program is focused on the Mediterranean and sometimes Newport, where the wind is much lighter. We have changed the keel and other parts, so we are getting to know the boat properly”, he observed.

Regarding the racing conditions in Barcelona, Grael noted the difficulty of the first day due to irregular wind. “In the first race, we didn’t start well, but we went to the right and found the shift we were looking for, achieving a comfortable lead until the finish. The second race had more stable conditions. With such close competition, the starts are very important,” explained the experienced sailor.

Grael also shared his love for classic boats, recalling his beginnings in sailing. “I really like classic boats. I started sailing with my grandfather in a 6 Metre from 1912, which won the silver medal at the Stockholm Games. We still have the boat; it is beautiful, very nice to sail, and fast in light winds,” he commented

Finally, Grael highlighted the importance of the Puig Vela Clàssica and its coincidence with the America’s Cup in Barcelona. “It is an important fleet, and it is very good that it coincides with the America’s Cup. The contrast is very interesting to see, especially since my last America’s Cup was in 2007,” concluded Grael, very satisfied with the atmosphere of the regatta.