Classic sailing meets in Mahón to compete in the 20th anniversary of the King's Cup Repsol

The King's Cup Repsol of Vintage Boats has officially set sail at the Club Marítimo de Mahón (CMM) to celebrate its twentieth anniversary, established as one of the great Mediterranean events of classic sailing and the annual sporting event with the greatest impact on the island of Menorca.

The competition will begin this Wednesday, August 28, with the presence of 45 boats from 10 nations that bear witness to the recreational and sporting naval tradition of the 20th century, and with some of the most valuable jewels of international maritime heritage.

The King's Cup is part of, for the third year, the Mediterranean Champions Cup circuit along with Les Régates Royales, Vele d’Epoca di Imperia, Argentario Sailing Week, Les Voiles d’Antibes, and the Illes Balears Clàssics, from the Club de Mar Mallorca.

As in most of these events, the fleet is divided into five categories, according to the rules of the International Mediterranean Committee. Vessels built before 1950 are considered Vintage and grouped according to whether their rigging is Gaff (trapezoidal) or Bermuda (triangular). From that date until the end of the 1970s, boats are classified in the Classics division. The Spirit of Tradition and the Big Boats, large sailboats, complete the fleet.

Basilio Ferrer, president of the Club Marítimo Mahón, is aware that the beauty of the Minorcan coast is one of the main attractions of the King's Cup Repsol of Vintage Boats, but not the only one; there is also the prestige of a fully consolidated brand and an organizational capacity beyond any doubt. “We have reached 20 editions in very good health, which shows the good work of this club. Each year we achieve high and quality participation, which allows us to be part of the Mediterranean classic sailing circuit and place the name of the city on the world map. We are proud of the work done and very grateful for the support of the Consell Insular de Menorca, the City Council of Mahón, our sponsor Repsol, and all the Minorcan companies that make this great regatta possible,” Ferrer assured during the presentation ceremony.

The president of the Consell Insular de Menorca, Adolfo Vilafranca, praised the work carried out by the CMM as the organizer of the King's Cup Repsol and highlighted its significant economic impact. “It is a luxury for the people of Minorca to count on the Club Marítimo de Mahón and a regatta that last year generated an impact of five million euros for the city,” Vilafranca assured.

Héctor Pons, mayor of Mahón, stated that “events like the King's Cup of Vintage Boats Repsol reinforce the collaboration between the port and the city of Mahón” and emphasized the “involvement” of the CMM, “a centenary entity that is an example for the city and that manages to gather efforts, wills, and, above all, hopes that are poured into this regatta.”

The representative of the main sponsor expressed pride in being part of the King's Cup. “It is an honor for Repsol to sponsor this event, which stands out for its good organization and which is so carefully preserved by the Club Marítimo de Mahón,” said Fernando Pérez, who added: “We will stand with the club and its regatta to the end.”

Finally, Nacho Marra, emphasized the quality of the fleet gathered this year: "For the first time, we have managed to host seven Big Boats in our regatta, something unprecedented in the twenty editions we have held. I have no doubt that the 45 participants will provide a great spectacle and we trust that the weather conditions will be ideal for it to be so.”