The 18th Vela Classica
WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS CHRIS POTTER
This summer saw the 18th annual Vela Classica Menorca for classic yachts. The event, also known as the Cope Del Rei, or King’s Cup, had a bumper entry of 53 boats, no doubt boosted by the recent scarcity of regattas owing to Covid. Entries ranged in size from the Falmouth-based Heresho schooner Mariette down to a West Solent One-Design. The host, Club Maritimo, was delighted to be able to once again hold a class of ‘Big Boats,’ although sadly the big Fifes – regular attendees Mariquita and Moonbeam – were absent. As much racing as possible was held inside the harbour to maximise the spectacle for locals and tourists. The first day was ideal for it, the fleet providing a spectacle as they powered out the harbour to the race course. The Big Boats class was won convincingly by Sir Keith Mills on the schooner Viveka (CB410). The Herresho NY50 Spartan won the Ga class; the Vintage Bermudan class went to the 1938 S&S yawl Varuna; and the Classic class to Barbara Trillin’s Holman and Pye-designed Argos. Gri Rhys Jones made an excellent start to the week in his S&S yawl Argyll with a second in class.
The second day saw light airs, which not only precluded a harbour start but also necessitated a shortened course. Amazingly after the second day, three of the classes were tied for first place, with the last race to decide the winners.
The third and final race was started and raced outside the harbour in a cracking breeze, and finished inside the harbour.
Viveka was the clear winner in the Big Boats; Vintage Ga went to Spartan; the Vintage
Bermudan class was won by Varuna; Classic class went to Barbara Trilling’s Argos; and the S&S yacht Calima won Spirit of Tradition. Gri Rhys-Jones failed to capitalise on the promise of his first race, eventually finishing ninth, soundly beaten by arch rival Tara Getty in the nearsistership Skylark of 1937.