More than 50 boats have gathered at Menorca for the XIX Copa del Rey Repsol of vintage ships

The Copa del Rey Repsol of Vintage ships gathers today at the Menorca to the best fleet of vintage vessels of the Mediterranean. The regatta organized by the Club Marítimo of Mahón and the Consell Insular of Menorca the nineteenth edition of the event will be attended by more than fifty boats, confirming its position as the benchmark event for classic sailing in Spain and one of the most important on the European circuit.

The Copa del Rey of Vintage Boats will be contested in the waters of Menorca from tomorrow, 30th of August until the 2nd of September. For the first time in history, it will consist of four races, one more than the previous editions. This change is due to the express wish of the owners of the participating boats, for whom the stay in Mahón "was becoming too short", according to Nacho Marra, director of the Club Marítimo and the Copa del Rey Repsol.

“We have to be proud that again we exceed 50 boats, something that is not easy with this type of race. It has to be valued for the effort that means for these vessels that arrive in Menorca after many places and not only from the Mediterranean, but from America and the British Islands.”

The numbers of the XIX Copa del Rey Repsol, the lack of confirmation of the inscriptions during the day of today, points to a fantastic edition: 51 boats representing 13 countries (Uruguay, Belgium, Poland, Great Britain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ireland, Malta, Germany, United States, France, Italy and Spain).

The vessels “Viveka” (1929), “Spartan” (1913), “Varuna” (1939), “Argos” (1964) and “Calima” (1970) defend the title obtained in the edition of 2022. Other ships that stand out are “Hallowe’en” (1926), “Grayling” (1900), “Mariska” (1908), “Fjord III” (1947), “Manitou” (1937), “Bárbara” (1923) and “Galvana” (1974).

The Copa del Rey is part of, for second year, the circuit of The Mediterranean Champions Cup next to Les Régates Royales, Vele d’Epoca di Imperia, Argentario Sailing Week and Les Voiles d’Antibes. It is also a punctual test of the Trofeo Mare Nostrum.

The fleet is divided in five categories, according to the rules of the International Committee of the Mediterranean. The boats constructed before 1950 are considered Vintage and are grouped in trapezoidal or Triangular. From that date until the 70s, the boats are categorized as Classics. The Traditional of Spirit  and Big Boats, vessels of big length, complete the fleet.