The most important regatta of classic and vintage boats in Spain repeats as a member of the exclusive circuit The Mediterranean Champions Cup. It will have an extra day of competition and will bring together fifty sailboats.

The Copa del Rey Repsol de Barcos de Epoca will once again bring together the best fleet of classic boats in the Mediterranean. The regatta organised by the Club Marítimo de Mahón will host more than fifty boats in its nineteenth edition and will be the benchmark event for classic sailing in Spain and one of the most important on the European circuit.

The regatta will be held in Menorcan waters between 29 August and 2 September, on its traditional dates. For the first time in history, it will consist of four days of competition, one more than in previous editions. This change is due to the express wish of the owners of the participating boats, for whom the stay in Mahón "was too short", according to Nacho Marra, director of the Club Marítimo and the Copa del Rey Repsol.

"Last year we were asked to extend the regatta by one more day, as many boats come from outside Spain and make long crossings to be here. They told us that if we introduced a new day of competition, they would be more compensated for the journey, and so we have done so", explains Marra, aware that this change means a greater effort for the organisation at all levels, but it is good for the Copa del Rey: "If the boat owners are happy, then the regatta is working. In addition, we contribute to improving the economic impact that we generate in the port of Mahón".

The figures, with a month and a half to go until the start of the Copa del Rey Repsol, point to a spectacular edition. "It is not often that at this stage we already have more than 40 boats pre-registered, which, with all due caution, leads us to believe that we will be over half a hundred. In any case, beyond the quantity, the Copa del Rey is characterised by the quality of its fleet. We have legendary yachts in all classes, from 22 countries, many of which are over a century old", says Nacho Marra.

Viveka (1929), Spartan (1913), Varuna (1939) and Calima (1970) will defend the title obtained in the 2022 edition. Other notable entries include Hallowe'en (1926), El Mariska (1908), Fjord III (1947) and Galvana (1974).

The Copa del Rey forms part, for the second year, of The Mediterranean Champions Cup circuit along with Les Régates Royales, Vele d'Epoca di Imperia, Argentario Sailing Week and Les Voiles d'Antibes. As in most of these events, the fleet is divided into five categories, in accordance with the rules of the International Mediterranean Committee. Boats built before 1950 are considered Vintage and are grouped according to whether their rig is Cangreja (trapezoidal) or Bermudian (Triangular). From that date until the end of the 1970s, the boats fall into the Classic division. The Spirit of Tradition and the Big Boats, large sailing boats, complete the fleet.