Barcelona is set to be alive with 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 all taking place from late August through to October 2024.
Adding to the excitement is the announcement of the Premier Regatta Series, hosted by the Real Club Naútico Barcelona in conjunction with America’s Cup Event (ACE), the organising body for the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, that will feature some of the world’s most famous yachts and classes racing on the crystal Mediterranean waters alongside the AC75 and AC40 competitions.
The Premier Series begins with the world-famous Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona from the 4 – 7 September that always attracts the cream of the classic yachts that compete on the Mediterranean and global circuits. Backed by the Real Federación Española de Vela, and thanks to the sponsorship of Puig, the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona is organising the 17th edition of the Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona Regatta for the following categories: gaff rig vintage, Bermuda rig vintage, classic, IOR classic, big and modern classic boats, 12m and J Class boats.
It is expected that some 15 12m-yachts that competed in the America’s Cup from 1958 to 1987 will be in attendance whilst the J Class ‘Golden Era’ of the America’s Cup that ran from 1930-1937 will 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 7 – 11 October and will mean 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 who compete 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 places from the 6 – 8 September.
Continuing the Premier Regatta Series, the Real Club Naútico Barcelona will host the Maxi Regatta from 25 – 29 September ahead of the Superyacht Regatta from 4 – 6 October, which will have additional organisational support from BWA Yachting and Boat International magazine as Official Media Partner, and will attract some of the world’s most glamorous yachts that qualify in the 91 – 110ft range for Class A and 70-90 feet for Class B.
Speaking about the Premier Regatta Series, Grant Dalton CEO of ACE, said: “Huge thanks go to our Host venue Yacht Club Partner, the Real Club Naútico Barcelona who have the vision and expertise to handle these great, classic events that will truly enhance the on-water and shoreside spectacle of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup. Attracting the J Class and 12 Metres brings the America’s Cup history to life whilst the classic yachts, Maxis, and Superyachts all bristle with the very finest in technology and design. Barcelona will be a sensational festival of yachting in all its forms this summer and we look forward to welcoming everyone to this incredible venue for both the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup and the Premier Regatta Series.”
