Few sights capture the spirit of the Mediterranean quite like a fleet of classic yachts sailing across Barcelona’s skyline. This week, as the city experienced the hottest temperatures ever recorded, almost 50 classic and vintage vessels took to the water for the XIX Puig Vela Clàssica, held July 8-11 at Real Club Náutico de Barcelona. An unexpected easterly wind helped shape one of the most distinctive editions in the regatta’s history, marked by several races decided by the narrowest of margins, the return of century-old yachts and the presence of some of the most celebrated names in international classic sailing.

For four days, Barcelona’s waterfront once again became a floating museum of maritime heritage. Historic yachts such as Hallowe’en and Bon Temps, both over a century old, sailed alongside modern projects inspired by legendary designs, including Victoria, while iconic vessels such as Manitou and Eilean added further prestige to the fleet. Blending maritime heritage, competitive sailing and Mediterranean lifestyle, the Puig Vela Clàssica has firmly established itself as one of the leading events on the international classic sailing calendar.

This year’s regatta brought together 45 yachts from more than ten countries across eight classes and delivered one of the most closely fought editions to date. Several titles were decided by mere seconds.

A regatta shaped by record-breaking heat

The Mediterranean did not show its usual face this summer. Extreme temperatures prevented the formation of the expected Garbí, the thermal south-westerly breeze that sailors rely on during Barcelona’s summer afternoons. It made a brief appearance on the opening day but never reached the minimum strength required for racing, forcing organisers to abandon the scheduled races after hours of waiting.

Conditions changed dramatically over the weekend with the arrival of an easterly wind more typical of autumn than July. Blowing 9-11 knots on Friday before increasing to 11-14 knots on Saturday and generating waves of up to 1.5 meters, it allowed the race committee of the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona to complete the program using two coastal courses.

Hallowe’en marks its centenary with victory

It is rare to see a fleet of seven majestic Big Boats competing together in Spanish waters. Cariad, owned by Tim Hartnoll, took an early lead after winning the opening race on corrected time. Close behind was the ever-dangerous Hallowe’en, owned by Iñigo Strez, followed by Gael I, Sumurun and Cambria. Although Cambria was first across the finish line, corrected times placed her fifth overall.

In the decisive second race, Hallowe’en claimed victory, allowing the centenarian yacht to celebrate her 100th anniversary with an overall victory. Cariad secured second place overall, with Gael I completing the podium.

Hallowe’en, Yanira, Clarionet, Odysseus, Ándale and Le Temps Perdu secured top honors in their respective classes, while Germany claimed the Enric Puig Trophy thanks to victories by Legolas and Varuna VII.

The event also hosted the presentation of the 2025 Spanish Classic Sailing Cup, awarded by the Spanish Association of Vintage and Classic Yachts (AEBEC) to Clarionet as the national circuit champion.

Part of both the International Mediterranean Championship and the Mare Nostrum Trophy – Spanish Classic Yacht Cup, Puig Vela Clàssica has become one of the cornerstone events of the international season, alongside regattas such as Cannes, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez and Newport.

Among the fleet, Hallowe’en stood out as one of sailing’s great legends. Designed by William Fife and launched in 1926, she famously won the Fastnet Race by almost ten hours and has now added a third Puig Vela Clàssica Big Boat title to victories achieved in 2018 and 2022.

Another crowd favorite was Bon Temps, a ketch built in Mallorca in 1926 and recently returned to the Godó family nearly a century after it was originally commissioned. Its remarkable journey has become one of the most moving stories in Spanish classic sailing.

The regatta also welcomed the Mediterranean debut of Victoria, the first yacht in the Q7 Reimagined project, which reimagines a legendary design using modern materials and technology while remaining faithful to the original concept.

Other notable participants included Argentina’s Recluta, built from design plans left unfinished for almost 80 years, as well as two true icons of classic yachting: Manitou, once the favorite yacht of US President John F. Kennedy, and Eilean, the William Fife ketch immortalized in Duran Duran’s famous Rio video and painstakingly restored to her former glory.