Tonino, 1911

is Royal Highness Don Alfonso, King of Spain, commissioned William Fife III to design this 10-M yacht, which, followed as consort with his family aboard. was the first civilian vessel built by the military Astilleros del Nervion Boatyard in Bilbao and King Alfonso recorded many wins at her helm, at regattas across Europe. The boat raced remained in the King of Spain’s ownership until the Spanish revolution of 1931, when she was sold to Italy. A varied history since then, including a spell racing in the 1986 edition of Vele d’Epoca, Imperia, as shown here, has seen her most recently come under the ownership of The Classic Yacht Experience, the extraordinary project to unite and restore all the existing 10-Metre yachts. is “currently undergoing a full restoration and will soon be in fine condition”, says TCYE, whose 10-Metre was a fine sight at the Med regattas this summer.