America's Cup: J Class and 12 Metres set to compete in Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona
by Sail-World.com/NZ 7 Jul 15:43 BST
8 July 2024
Superyacht Cup Palma 2024 © Sailing Energy / The Superyacht Cup
Barcelona is set to host the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, the Louis Vuitton Cup, the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup and the Puig Women’s America’s Cup from late August through to October 2024.
In addition, the Premier Regatta Series, hosted by the Real Club Naútico Barcelona in conjunction with America’s Cup Event (ACE), will feature some of the world’s most famous yachts and classes racing on the Mediterranean alongside the AC75 and AC40 competitions.
The Premier Series begins with the world-famous Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona from September 4-7, which always attracts the cream of the classic yachts competing on the Mediterranean and global circuits.
Racing will be conducted for the following categories: gaff rig vintage, Bermuda rig vintage, classic, IOR classic, big and modern classic boats, 12m and J Class boats.
Organisers say that fifteen 12-metre yachts that competed in the America’s Cup from 1958 to 1987 will be sailing. The J Class Association hopes to attract up to four of these incredible and immaculately restored classic yachts.
The J Class will also host a regatta in Barcelona as part of the Premier Series from October 7-11th. This means that the boats will be in town all the way through the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup for spectators to come and see history on the water.
The Premier Regatta Series will also host the Smeralda 888 fleet, which competes at various Mediterranean venues throughout the summer on a very competitive circuit. Designed by naval architect German Frers, these 8.88-metre yachts attract some of the world’s best one-design sailors and enjoy incredibly close fleet racing. The Smeralda 888 regatta takes place on September 6-8th, 2024.
Continuing the Premier Regatta Series, the Real Club Naútico Barcelona will host the Maxi Regatta September 25-29, ahead of the Superyacht Regatta from October 4-6th. It is expected to attract some of the world’s most glamorous yachts that qualify in the 91-110 feet range for Class A and 70-90 feet for Class B.