Argos and Calima shine at the clàssics marked by tradition and thrilling.
This year’s Illes Balears Clàssics delivered unforgettable moments, blending tradition, fierce competition, and a palpable passion for classic sailing in every manoeuvre. After days of intense racing, the most historic yachts showcased their mastery in Palma Bay. Although the weather conditions presented challenges, the regatta culminated in a nail-biting finish.
On Friday, the day began with unexpected downpours, prompting the Race Committee to delay the start by an hour. Eventually, a northern wind allowed the boats to leave their berths and begin the competition. Covering a 13-mile course with wind conditions varying between nine and eleven knots, the regatta was a true test for all classes.
On Saturday, the Argos, a 1964 Holman Pye, began to emerge as the favourite in the Classics class. Its owner, Barbara Trilling, couldn’t hide her excitement after the day’s events: “We were lucky, but you have to make your own luck. The entire crew was eager to win, highly focused, and that’s why everything went well.” The collective effort of the Argos crew was evident, and although the competition was fierce, they managed to win the day’s race.
In the Bermudian Period class, the Sonata, a 1937 Alden, surprised everyone by taking the lead, displacing the Comet, which finished in fourth place. Jordi Cabau, the owner of the Sonata, highlighted that their success was due to the precise execution of manoeuvres and the team’s sound tactics. “When you do things right, you get good results,” he commented, pleased with their performance.
Sunday, the final day of the regatta, was filled with emotion. The arrival of the Embat wind saved the day and allowed for a decisive final race. All eyes were on Argos and Calima, tied in points with the same number of victories in their respective classes. The competition was intense, but ultimately, Argos claimed the overall victory due to its greater age.
Although Calima fell just short of victory, it displayed exceptional performance under the leadership of skipper Jaime Rodríguez-Toubes and owner Pachi Rivero. Rivero praised his team’s efforts and acknowledged the difficulty of the day: “It was hard to defend our lead, but the crew was fantastic.”
The Rowdy, with its spectacular return after two years in dry dock, was crowned champion in the Gaff-Rigged Period class, while Micanga maintained its dominance in the RI Classics/Spirit of Tradition class, finishing just one point behind Calima. Donna Dyer, owner of the Rowdy, praised the regatta’s organisation and how her team, despite setbacks, was able to both enjoy and learn in this prestigious competition.
The awards ceremony brought the 29th edition of the Illes Balears Clàssics to a close. With forty boats from eight different nationalities, this edition was a resounding success, solidifying its place as one of the most important events in the Mediterranean Champions Cup classic sailing circuit. The boats returned to port after a week of competition which, despite the adverse weather, left all participants with a sense of accomplishment. As Jordi Cabau concluded, “we leave with a very good taste in our mouths of the Club de Mar-Mallorca, of the organization of the regatta… and we congratulate the committee for the decisions they have taken”.
Source: Regata communication office
Images: Villegas Photo
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