A fleet of more than 60 vessels will sail in Mahon for the 14th Copa del Rey Panerai

The Panerai Copa del Rey is an extremely popular event on the classic yachtingcalendar in the Mediterranean. The competition countstowards the Mediterranean Circuit, the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge and the Vintage and Classic Yachts

Championship of Spain, the regatta organised jointly by Club Marítimo de Mahón and Real Club Náutico deBarcelona which attracts the best yachts from around the world each year.

Competitors from the US and Argentina, both countries with a longstanding tradition in the conservation of shipping heritage, have crossed the Atlantic to be in Mahón, drawn by the fame of the regatta and the beauty of the Minor can water and coasts. They are joined by an extensive fleet of Spanish, British, French and Italian vessels, among other European representatives, keen not to miss the Panerai

Copa del Rey.

The five winners of the 2016 event have confirmedtheir presence, determined to defend their crown in Minorcan waters. Spartan, a 1912 gaff cutter designed by

American Nathanael G. Herreshoff, will square up against a further five Big Boats (classic yachts over 23 metres long) in her attempt to retain the championship title. Also competing in Minorca will be Hallowe’en (1926), Nord wind(1939), Cambria (1928) and the ‘sisters’ Moonbeam of Fife(1903) and Moonbeam IV (1914).

In Vintage Gaffs (yachts launched before 31 December 1949), Kelpie (1903) will strive to achieve her second victory in Minorca in a class with nine entrants. Her main competitors will be 2015 champion Marigan (1898) and Chinook (1916), the winner in 2013 and 2014. In ClassicMarconi (Bermudan-rigged yachts), Rowdy (1916), one ofthe four survivors of the NY 40 class, has held the winner’s title for the past two editions and goes into this year’s event as the favourite in a fleet of 13 vessels.

The Classics category (vessels launched between 1 January 1950 and 1975) will be the largest of the14th Panerai Copa del Rey, with 23 representatives. Argos(1964) secured its third victory, including two in a row, lastyear, and could further boost its fame this time around,although it will find a number of heavyweight rivals at sea.

They include Yanira (1953), a Bermudan cutter that reigned in Minorca for a total of six Copas del Rey that make it aclassic yacht benchmark.

Calima (1970) is the true star of the Minorcan regatta, with 10 victories in her logbook. The only years that Javier Pujol’s yacht hasn’t won were 2005, 2012 and 2013.Altogether, the Calima will have to demonstrate, by way of good results, that she is the principal challenger to the titlein Spirit of Tradition, a class with eight competitors.

This year the Bermudan ketch Eilean, built by Fife in Scotland in 1936 and , will be at the start-line at Copa del Rey. Eilean is not merely Panerai’s ambassador at the regattas but is also used to promote classic sailing culture as well as playing host to the “Captain for a Day” initiative staged in association with various non-for-profit organizations.

At 12.30 pm on Thursday 31st August, Mahón will witness the first stage of the 14th Panerai Copa del Rey which will run through to Saturday 2 September when, after the final races are held, Club Marítimo de Mahón will crown the 2017 winners.