The classics consolidate their place in the Cormorant Trophy of the Reial Club Nàutic Port Pollença

The Cormorant Trophy - Vinyes Can Axartell will bring together over fifty cruising, classic and vintage boats in the Bay of Pollença on the 25th and 26th of August. This year's edition will be one of the editions with the largest participation in history thanks to the good reception given to the incorporation of vintage boats and the fact that many of them are in transit to Menorca to compete, days later, in the Copa del Rey de Barcos de Época de Mahón (King's Cup of Vintage Boats in Mahón).

The Cormorant Trophy - Vinyes Can Axartell has established itself in recent years as the biggest cruising sailing competition in the north of Mallorca. The secret of this progression has been the commitment of its organizer, the Reial Club Nàutic Port de Pollença (RCNPP), to place the regatta on a par with the major events held at the other end of the island, in the Bay of Palma, claiming the excellent sailing conditions and the scenic beauty offered by the waters of Pollença and Alcudia.

The fleet of the Cormorant Trophy - Vinyes Can Axartell, with at least ten boats still to be added at the last minute, is divided into the RI (14), RI Classics (13), Vintage and Classics (14), Spirit of Tradition (4) and Flying Fifteen (9) classes. Joan Pizá, coordinator of the regatta, is very satisfied with the figures: "We have passed the 50-boat mark, which is not easy. We have great potential for growth for future editions. Our great challenge is to attract more classic boats, taking advantage of the fact that many of them travel from Palma to Menorca and have the chance to pass through Pollença".

The first day will take place next Friday, 25th August. The RI cruisers and the Flying Fifteen (keeled boat for two crew members) have scheduled windward/leeward courses, while the classics will sail a coastal regatta without leaving the bay of Pollença. The following day, Saturday 26th, all the participants will compete in a crossing starting at the Reial Club Nàutic Port de Pollença, with the halfway point at the islet of the Aucanada lighthouse, in the bay of Alcúdia.  

The great attraction of this year's Cormorant - Vinyes Can Axartell Trophy is undoubtedly the presence of almost twenty classic and vintage boats, some of which are considered true jewels of maritime heritage. The idea of incorporating this historic fleet came from Amador Magraner, partner of the RCNPP and co-owner of the boat "Rosina di Mare" (1961), a Sparkman & Stephens design that has become a regular on the Mediterranean classics circuit.  

Leornardo García de Vincentiis, president of the Spanish Vintage and Classic Boats Association, who will take part in the Cormorant Trophy - Vinyes Can Axartell aboard "Nerissa" (1965), says that it is "a beautiful regatta" in which the RCNPP "goes out of its way" to offer service to the crews. "Last year we enjoyed it very much and, logically, we have decided to repeat. It's very simple: if things are done well, they work and have a future", says García de Vicentiis.

On this occasion, Pollença will host boats such as the "Greyling" (1900), the oldest racing yacht under the Spanish flag; the "Gipsy" (1927), owned by the Fundación de Vela Clásica de España; the Italian "Bárbara" (1923), which this year has just celebrated its centenary in top form, or the Polish "Le Temps Perdú" (1966), a replica of an old cutter with trapezoidal rigging. Other units based in Pollença, such as the "Vidi", "Archangelo", "Sherezades" and "Celeste di Mare", are also part of the fleet.  

The Cormorant Trophy will officially begin this Thursday with the opening of the regatta office and the registration of entries. At eight o'clock in the evening on the same day, a welcome cocktail will be held at the RCNPP facilities for the owners and crews. The start of the first race will take place at 15.00 hours on Friday. The second day at sea will start at 12.00 noon. The prize-giving and closing ceremony is scheduled for 19.00 on Saturday.