After the windless suspension of the opening day, the fleet of 49 classic and vintage yachts finally returned to competition in Menorca. A short but demanding course, starting and finishing in the natural harbor of the island’s capital, offered one of the most striking sights in the regatta’s two-decade history: dozens of sails unfurling at the entrance of the bay.
The spectacle soon gave way to drama. A sudden squall off Isla del Aire lashed the Big Boat fleet with gusts of up to 53 knots. Tuiga (1909), flagship of the Yacht Club de Monaco, lost her mast, while Lady Anne (1912) sustained heavy damage to her bowsprit and starboard spreader. Both boats are now forced to withdraw, though fortunately no injuries were reported. Meanwhile, Mariska (1908) and Cariad (1896) managed to weather the storm with difficulty. Given the conditions, the Race Committee suspended the Big Boat race and awarded redress to the classes that had not yet crossed the line.
Sporting Highlights
Despite the tempest, competition carried on for the rest of the fleet, producing new names at the top:
- Gaff Rig Class – Spartan (1913) claimed victory ahead of Rowdy (1916) and Chinook (1916).
- Bermudan Rig Class – Amorita (1937) triumphed, with Santana (1936) and Baruna (1938) following.
- Classics – Argos (1964) reinforced her reputation, defeating Mowgly (1965) and Clarionet (1966).
- Spirit of Tradition – Barlovento (1975), helmed by Pachi Rivero, dominated the fleet, ahead of Celeste di Mare (1971) and Happy Forever (2008).
Voices from the Water
“We knew the forecast was tricky, but the wind strength turned out to be higher than expected,” said Jean-Michel Rouve, crew chief of Cariad.
For Pachi Rivero, relief was the prevailing feeling: “We were lucky to drop the mainsail right after finishing, just before the storm broke.”
With the regatta at its halfway point, excitement and unpredictability remain the defining notes of the XXI Copa del Rey Repsol of Vintage Yachts. The fleet, battered yet resolute, continues to etch new chapters of history in Menorcan waters.
