Spirit yachts are well known for their beauty, but they don’t just have just pretty faces. By building in wood and incorporating the latest in sailing technology on deck, Spirit delivers lightweight, performance yachts that are easy to handle on the race course.

In April, Spirit 65 Chloe Giselle was seen gracing the warm waters of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, where she won the Spirit of Tradition class.

Enjoyed as a weekend cruising yacht and a regular racer, Spirit 46 Ilhabela is becoming a familiar sight at European regattas. This year, she has taken part in the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez Ladies’ Cup, Les Voiles d’Antibes and recently placed second in the Spirit of Tradition class at Argentario Race Week.

Ilhabela’s owner commented, “Sailing is a way to reconnect with what is important in life. Spirit of Tradition yachts are where classic yacht aesthetics and architecture blend seamlessly with performance. Timeless beauty that could not ask for a better venue than the Argentario Sailing Week: an extraordinary racing venue that I am thrilled to have finally been able to discover and enjoy.”

In UK waters, there has been plenty of action for Spirit yachts so far this year. Last month, Spirit 52 Flight of Ufford and DH63 Gwenhyfar raced in an east coast regatta close to Spirit’s Ipswich headquarters. The Suffolk Yacht Harbour Classic Regatta saw over 30 yachts of varying sizes race in champagne sailing conditions. Flight of Ufford placed second in the Fast Class and third overall, whilst Gwenhyfar (some distance from her home port in Guernsey) placed fifth in class and ninth overall.

This year’s infamous Round the Island Race (a 50nm race around the Isle of Wight) became a marathon day for the 1,200 yachts competing in light winds and brilliant sunshine. Spirit 37 Strega and Spirit 46 Whisper gallantly took on the challenge that saw less than a quarter of the entrants complete the course.

Strega put in a valiant effort, retiring at the iconic Horse Sand and No Mans Land Forts and reaching her home port of Lymington just shy of midnight. After an impressive 12.5 hours racing, Spirit 46 Whisper crossed the line and won the Modern Classic Racing Yachts Class.

Looking ahead, nine Spirit yachts will race at this year’s Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes from 13th– 20thJuly. One Spirit DH63, three Spirit 52s, three Spirit 46s and two Spirit 37s will take on the six-race series in the challenging tidal waters of the Solent.

Three Spirit yachts are entered into the UK’s Hamble Classics regatta and there will be Spirit owners in attendance at Cannes Régates Royales.

In the autumn, Spirit DH63, Gwenhyfar will participate in this year’s ARC (Atlantic Cruising Rally) in the racing category, before enjoying the winter cruising in the Caribbean.