PalmaVela reaches 150 entries for its 22nd edition

The 22nd edition of Sandberg PalmaVela continues to grow and has now reached 150 boats entered, consolidating its role as the first major event of the Mediterranean calendar. As the regatta approaches, all eyes are on “La Larga”, the offshore race that will get under way next Saturday, April 25th.

Organised by the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP), the regatta will bring together more than 1,400 sailors at its facilities, filling its pontoons with activity from April 23rd to May 3rd, with nine days of racing at sea.

“Reaching 150 entries confirms that Sandberg PalmaVela continues to grow and strengthen its position as one of the major events in the Mediterranean. For the RCNP, it is a great satisfaction to see Palma once again placed at the centre of international sailing,” explains Manuel Fraga, director of the RCNP.

“La Larga” will once again serve as the event’s great prologue, with a fleet of 50 teams set to sail around the Balearic archipelago in a demanding offshore challenge that combines strategy, endurance and bluewater sailing.

“‘La Larga’ perfectly represents the spirit of Sandberg PalmaVela: a demanding, diverse regatta with great sporting appeal. Having 50 teams in this opening race demonstrates the strength of the offshore format and the interest generated by sailing in the Balearic environment,” adds Fraga.

One of the major attractions of this edition will be the inclusion of the Mini 6.50 class, which will compete single-handed with eight entries, providing an interesting contrast within the fleet. At the other end of the spectrum, the IRC class will feature two impressive Maxis, large yachts with crews of more than 25 sailors, representing the highest level of team racing.

Completing this diverse line-up, the ORC class will be represented both in its A2 category (short-handed crews) and with full crews, shaping a balanced and highly competitive fleet that reaches fifty participants in this opening race.

After “La Larga”, Sandberg PalmaVela will continue with its traditional multihull regatta in the Bay of Palma, where with around a hundred teams taking part, the sporting spectacle will reach a new level thanks to the presence of up to 13 TP52s, which will hold their first regatta of the year in Palma before starting the international 52 Super Series circuit.

With figures continuing to grow, a high-level fleet, and the combination of offshore competition and coastal races, Sandberg PalmaVela once again places Palma at the centre of world sailing, marking the start of the Mediterranean season.