This years Puig Vela Clasica in Barcelona attracted an impressive number of classics once again, not least due to there being additional on-water and shoreside entertainment with the America’s Cup in town. Fittingly amongst the fleet were the 12 Metre Class, a number of which were designed specifically for Cup action back in the 1980’s.
Division A saw 5 of the ‘modern’ 12’s take to the water: Kookaburra II, Kiwi Magic, French Kiss, Crusader and South Australia. All were designed and built for the 1987 America’s Cup in Fremantle where Dennis Connor’s ‘Stars and Stripes 87’ claimed back the ‘Auld Mug’ from the Australians who were defending with ‘Kookaburra III’.
Division D saw 8 classic 12’s leaving the Real Club Náutico of Barcelona each day. They included Northern Light(S&S), Vim(S&S), Jenetta(Mylne), Seven Seas(C Crane), Thea(J Anker), Eileen(C Jensen), La Spina(Baglietto) and Flica II(Fife). Quite a selection from the most prominent designers of the early 20th Century.
Kookaburra II cleaned up in Division A and Northern Light from 1938 in Division D. Both 12’s are having a great run having just won in their respective classes at the 12 Metre World’s in the Porquerolles last June.
Here are a selection of photos taken during the last 3 days of the boats in action. Enjoy.
