Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona 2025 - Summary
by Covadonga Muñoz 16 Jul 11:06 PDT
9-12 July 2025
Barcelona's prestigious regatta for Classic and Vintage yachts, the Puig Vela Clàssica, celebrated its 18th edition from July 10 to 12, further strengthening its position as one of the premier international events for classic sailing in the Mediterranean.
Organized by the Royal Barcelona Yacht Club (Real Club Náutico de Barcelona), the regatta welcomed historic yachts from over 10 countries and nearly 400 sailors, reaffirming its prestige and outstanding international appeal.
This year marked the return of the regatta to its traditional July dates, following an extraordinary 2024 edition in which the Puig Vela Clàssica was part of the America's Cup Premier Regatta Series held last September. That unique inclusion attracted rare fleets such as the 12 Metres, Gaff-rigged P-Class, and 15 Metres, who raced together for the first time in history.
A regatta with global reach
The Puig Vela Clàssica is a true journey through time, where tradition, elegance, and competitive spirit come together on the water. Barcelona remains the only major international capital to host a regatta of this kind, standing shoulder to shoulder with legendary venues such as Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Antigua, and Newport.
This reputation is no coincidence. The Puig Vela Clàssica is part of the Mediterranean Champions Cup, alongside iconic regattas held in Antibes, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez (France); Imperia and Argentario (Italy); Monaco Classic Week; and Spanish events in Palma and Mahón. It also forms part of the Trofeo Clásicos Mare Nostrum - Spanish Cup for Classic Yachting.
These affiliations reinforce Barcelona's status not just as the host of a prestigious event, but as a true international hub for classic sailing.
Duel of titans, perfect breeze and high emotion
The curtain rose on the 18th Puig Vela Clàssica on July 7 with its official presentation at Barcelona City Hall, led by the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni; Puig CEO Marc Puig; and the President of the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona, Jordi Puig. Racing began on Thursday, July 10, against the stunning backdrop of Barcelona's coastline.
As in previous years, the regatta committee, headed by Pere Sarquella, prepared a flexible schedule of 10 coastal courses ranging from 12 to 19 nautical miles, chosen depending on wind direction and strength. Forecasts called for light winds, mild temperatures, and a risk of rain on the final day, July 12. However, with a weather alert issued due to the arrival of an isolated high-level depression, threatening the area with heavy downpours, thunderstorms, and unpredictable gusts, the organizers wisely decided to cancel the final day's races.
Still, two days of racing proceeded with strong participation and competitive spirit, thanks to excellent wind conditions (8 to 14 knots) that allowed for challenging courses along the Barcelona waterfront.
On July 10, precisely at 13:00, the first three starts were given for the Classic & Modern Classic, Vintage, and Big Boats classes. The Big Boats fleet included five of these majestic sailing icons. With an easterly breeze (70º) blowing at 12-14 knots early in the day before easing slightly, the committee selected course no. 4. The fleet covered 15.5 nautical miles over five legs (beat, run, reach, beam reach, and broad reach).
On the second day, winds shifted to the south (170º) at 8-10 knots with a light chop. The committee opted for course no. 1, which featured two long legs out to Masnou and back to Barcelona. Including an initial windward leg and a final long reach, the fleet covered 16.8 nautical miles.
Mariska, Amorita and Le Temps Perdu: kings of the wind in their categories
The Big Boats division saw a fierce showdown between the German-flagged Mariska (William Fife III, 1908), helmed by Dan Posjk, and the Irish Hallowe'en (William Fife III, 1926), skippered by Inigo Strez. The two traded wins, but Hallowe'en was penalized three points for jumping the gun in the second start, giving Mariska the overall victory. The British Star Sapphire of London (Laurent Giles, 1957), helmed by Jakob Glatz, secured an impressive third-place finish, ahead of Gael I (Abeking & Rasmussen, 1962) and Belle Adventure (William Fife, 1919).
In the Bermudian Vintage class, Amorita (Nicholas S. Potter, 1937), helmed by Claudio Meali, won both races to take the title. Close behind was Argyll (Olin Stephens, 1948), skippered by Griff Rhys Jones, with third and second place. The battle for third was tight between the Portuguese Falcon, skippered by De Barros, and Manitou (Olin Stephens, 1937), helmed by Hamish Easton, with Falcon edging ahead. Fifth place went to Almarán New York (Olin Stephens, 1936), sailed by Manel López.
In the Gaff-rigged Vintage class, local favorite Le Temps Perdu (Servain, 1964), owned by Nelson Hausmann, clinched victory over Mallorca's Scheherazade, skippered by Luis Sancho.
Yanira dominates, Clarionet repeats, and Stiletto wins amidst controversy
Yanira (Bjarne Aas, 1954), owned by Jan Heunink, delivered a commanding performance in the Classic 1 division, winning both races. The battle for second place was intense, with Nerissa (Arthur Cecil, 1965), sailed by Leonardo García de Vicentiis, and Kahurangi (Arthur C. Robb, 1953), helmed by Pepe de Miguel, finishing tied on five points. Nerissa claimed second based on her higher finish in the final race, relegating Kahurangi to third. Fourth place went to Bakea (Laurent Giles, 1968), sailed by Mónica Xufré.
In Classic 2, all top four yachts repeated their finishing order in both races, making the final standings a mirror of the race results. British yacht Clarionet (Holman & Pye, 1964), helmed by Andrew Harvey, topped the podium, followed by Kanavel (Eugene Cornu, 1966), sailed by Javier Mestre, and Sea Fever (Holman & Pye, 1971), sailed by Enrique Curt. The Sea Fever crew, with an admirable average age close to 80, proved that experience remains a powerful asset in classic sailing. Karmatán II (John Alden, 1960), skippered by Ricard Bedmar, finished fourth.
The Modern Classic class saw a dramatic finish. British yacht Stiletto, helmed by Scott Yates, was penalized three points for a technical infraction after winning the first race. Malbec, owned by Belén García Guillén, also received a three-point penalty for an early start in the same race. Both repeated their finishes in race two, with Stiletto holding on for the overall win. However, Malbec was overtaken in the general standings by the German Legolas, which claimed second place. Phidias (Jordi Puig) and Roxanne (Jordi Gallés), both from RCN Barcelona, rounded out the top five.
Star Saphire of London: The Revival of a British Nautical Design Gem
In 2025, the Puig Vela Clàssica welcomes a very special debut: the Star Sapphire, joining other legendary vessels that have shaped the history of this regatta and classic sailing since the 19th century.
Emerging during a time of transition between tradition and modernity, the Star Sapphire introduced a new concept of motor yacht. Designed in 1957 by renowned naval architect Jack Laurent Giles—one of the most influential figures in 20th-century British nautical design—and built at the Beltrami shipyards in Genoa, this vessel was a bold and sophisticated endeavor from the start. The commission came directly from its future owner, a member of the distinguished Molins family, who was so impressed with the result that four years later he collaborated again with Giles to design another iconic yacht: the Blue Leopard.
The Star Sapphire's story is as captivating as the waters it has sailed. Six years after its launch, the vessel returned to its original owner in a deplorable state after passing through several hands. It remained in the possession of an elderly Italian for over three decades until a delicate restoration project was undertaken between 2005 and 2006 to restore its former glory.
Today, its participation in the Puig Vela Clàssica—one of the most important classic sailing events in the Mediterranean—is not only a tribute to refined British design but also a testament to the commitment to preserving nautical heritage.
14 sailors, 9 of them women
The team of the Bakea, led by Mónica Xufré, is breaking moulds.
"I like having good vibes aboard above all, even in a regatta. That's why there are so many women on my ship, many more than in others. This year, in our 14 people crew, 9 of us will be women".
In all likelihood, Mónica Xufré is the only person to have competed in all the editions of the Puig Vela Clàssica, and even more, one of the few women to captain a ship.
In 2008 she bought the Bakea a few months before the first regatta was announced, and it was a golden opportunity to get a feel for it. She only stopped competing with it for two years, but she didn't miss the obligatory "Puig date" aboard he Karmatan II and the Namibia.
"I like wooden ships because of their warmth and unique personality, because they are hand-made, I live and enjoy them as a second home", she explained. The Bakea is an well-known sight on the jetties of the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona, where it was moored in 1965 by its first owners, the Mercadal family, and Mónica Xufré brought it back when she bought it. Built by Astilleros Viudes, it's 16'77 metres long and 4'04 of beam, it is ketch-rigged with a central cockpit and tall freeboards, which results in a more than ample interior. "I can boast of having one of the ships that keep their strictly original state. All of the hull's boards are the ones Viudes used to line it and its conservation state is impeccable."
About the Puig Vela Clàssica regatta, she comments: "I like it very much, the level of the competition is quite interesting and its organization at sea is notable, although I would personally be glad to have shorter routes and no close-hauled sections. It also serves as an excuse to keep the ship in good shape, doing the obligatory tune-up before the holidays". Because Mónica and her family spend their summer holidays on the Bakea, there is no chance of losing that family feeling even when competing, "I like having good vibes aboard above all, even in a regatta. That's why there are so many women on my ship, many more than in others. This year, in our 14 people crew, 9 of us will be women".
GAEL I: Classic elegance and mediterranean soul
Built in 1962 by the renowned German shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen, the sailing yacht Gael I is a timeless gem measuring 23.16 meters in length, seamlessly blending the elegance of traditional yacht craftsmanship with the comfort of a modern charter vessel. Featuring exterior design and naval architecture by the legendary Philip Rhodes, this yacht's graceful lines and noble character continue to sail today with all the splendor of her prime years.
Behind this dream vessel stands a French owner who has skillfully preserved and enhanced the yacht's essence over time.
With a beam of 5.18 meters and a draft of 2.9 meters, GAEL I displaces 85 GT, boasting a hull and superstructure crafted entirely from wood, further emphasizing her artisanal and warm character. Powered by a Caterpillar engine, she reaches a top speed of 10 knots — though this yacht isn't built for speed, but rather to savor the journey, the sea, and the wind.
Inside, wood takes center stage. Rich paneling, classic finishes, and a welcoming atmosphere greet guests in the main salon and the three available cabins. At the helm is the experienced skipper Mick Creach, whose extensive expertise ensures safety and deep knowledge of the Mediterranean coasts.
With a history that includes years of noble ownership and a present that maintains her as one of the most beautiful and charismatic sailing yachts still afloat, Gael I ranks as the 63rd largest sailing yacht ever built by Abeking & Rasmussen and stands as a living piece of European nautical heritage. Her presence on the water is synonymous with elegance, tradition, and excellence.
Kennedy president's "White House" in the sea returns to the waters off Barcelona
Manitou, a historic sailing yacht with an impressive history, makes an exciting return to the Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona Regatta. This yacht, commissioned in 1936 and built by renowned designer Olin Stephens in 1937, stands out for her timeless elegance and exceptional performance on the water. Known as President Kennedy's "floating White House", its interior houses numerous memories of personalities such as Marilyn Monroe. The Manitou has been meticulously restored for competition. With her gleaming white hull, fine lines and imposing sails, this yacht will captivate spectators with her presence and grace on every wave. Her return marks a special milestone in the competition, reaffirming her status as a true legend of classic sailing and promising an unforgettable spectacle at the Puig Regatta.
Full results can be found here.