his summer saw the 18th annual Vela Classica Menorca for classic yachts. The event, also known as the Cope Del Rei, or King’s Cup, had a bumper entry of 53 boats, no doubt down to a West Solent One-Design. The host, Club Maritimo, was delighted to be able to once again hold a class of ‘Big Boats,’ although sadly the big Fifes – regular attendees and – were absent. As much racing as possible was held inside the harbour to maximise the spectacle for locals and tourists. The first day was ideal for it, the fleet providing a spectacle as they powered out the harbour to the race course. The Big Boats class was won convincingly by Sir Keith Mills on the schooner (CB410). The Herreshoff NY50 won the Gaff class; the Vintage Bermudan class went to the 1938 S&S yawl ; and the Classic class to Barbara Trillin’s Holman and Pye-designed . Griff Rhys Jones made an excellent start to the week in his S&S yawl with a second in class.
