As the Med regattas go, the Puig in Barcelona still seems like an outlier compared to its longer established cousins like Voiles de Saint-Tropez, Cannes or Monaco, sitting as it does further to the west. Quietly though, it’s become rather a big deal in the 18 years since it was first run under its long-term sponsor, the Spanishowned fashion giant Puig. It regularly attracts around 50 yachts, and those who know it love the regatta for its location in the Catalonian capital of Barcelona, one of the world’s great cities, and for one other thing too: the great Barcelonian breeze, which nearly always guarantees good racing.
This year, while much of the rest of Europe broiled under 45-degree sun, every day was a perfect 30 with a good 15kts of steady ocean breeze. Topless women paraded the long, sandy beach leading to the docks, and locals glided by quietly on electric skateboards and scooters. The calisthenics crowd, all, and more, emblazoned across their fronts. The big news is that the 37th America’s Cup is coming to the Catalonian capital next year, and most of the teams are already in town, setting down roots to spend the next 12 months in training for this, sailing’s biggest event.
