Cruisers and Classics meet at the Cormorán Trophy of Pollença

The Reial Club Nàutic Port de Pollença (RCNPP) is preparing to host the Cormorán-Petits Cellers Trophy on the 23rd and 24th of August, its most important cruiser regatta where modern and classic boats share the spotlight.

This year, the competition incorporates the Associació Petits Cellers as the main sponsor and will gather 40 boats divided into RI, Classics, Spirit of Tradition, and RI Classics classes.

The contest of 'vintage' boats places the Cormorán Trophy at the geographical center between two of the main classics regattas in the Mediterranean: the Illes Balears Clàssics Trophy, organized by Club de Mar Mallorca, which concluded last Sunday, and the Copa del Rey de Barcos de Época at Club Marítimo de Mahón, which begins on August 27.

This strategic position has led many boats in transit between the Bay of Palma and Menorca to make a 'stop' at Port de Pollença to enjoy an event with a long tradition and the organizational solidity of the best club in northern Mallorca. This includes the "Calima", a 1970 Sparkman & Stephens that boasts being one of the most awarded sailboats of the Spanish fleet, including a victory at the 2001 Fastnet; the "Gipsy" (1926), built by the same shipyard as the Juan Sebastián Elcano; or the "Rosina di Mare" (1961), owned by Amador Magraner, sailing under the flag of the host club.

Juan Pizá, head of the sailing section at RCNPP, highlights the fact that starting next year, the Cormorán Trophy will be part of the Mare Nostrum Circuit of Classic Sailing. In his opinion, this shows that the regatta has managed in a very short time to carve out a niche in the calendar of historic boats. "We are convinced that this recognition as a scoring event will help us grow in the future, although without neglecting the fleet of 'contemporary' cruisers that compete under the RI formula," says Pizá.

Indeed, more than half of the Cormorán Trophy fleet (23) is made up of series sailboats from the RI class representing nautical clubs from Ciutadella, Palma, Colònia de Sant Pere, S'Arenal, Marseille, Estepona, and, of course, Pollença. The quality of the fleet in this category and the good knowledge most participants have of the bays of Alcúdia and Pollença promise a very competitive regatta.

Thursday, August 22, will be devoted to the confirmation of registrations and participant registration. The first race is scheduled at 3:00 PM the following day. On Saturday, the final day, the start is planned at 12:00 PM. The award ceremony will take place at 7:00 PM at the social headquarters of the Reial Club Nàutic Port de Pollença.

The Classics, Spirit of Tradition, and RI Classics boats will perform coastal routes on both days of the competition, while the RI fleet will sail on windward/leeward courses on Friday and will do a technical coastal journey on Saturday.

Pizá is hopeful that the Bay of Pollença will offer good sailing conditions and appreciates the sponsorship of Petits Cellers. "For us, it is very important to work in partnership with brands that represent the local product and help us provide a quality social event once the regatta is concluded."