Starting gun for the Menorca Sant Joan Regatta – Alfonso XIII Trophy

The Port of Barcelona has hosted the start of the race, with the first participants expected to arrive in the early hours of Friday, June 20th.

Around 50 boats taking part in the Menorca Sant Joan Regatta – Alfonso XIII Trophy set sail for the island this morning, Thursday, June 19th. Conditions were excellent, with southwesterly winds of around 9 knots off the coast of Barcelona.

The day began at the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona, co-organizer of the event along with the Club Marítimo de Mahón, with a skippers’ meeting that included a briefing for a race in which sailing is wind-powered only. Pere Sarquella, the sporting director of the Catalan club, spoke alongside Nacho Marra, manager of the Club Marítimo de Mahón and also race director. The Mahón club transferred its race boat to Barcelona to oversee the start of the event.

In total, close to 50 boats are heading toward Menorca to cover the approximately 140 nautical miles separating the Port of Barcelona from that of Mahón. The leading boat is expected to arrive either in the early morning or sometime Friday, depending on wind conditions.

The forecast does not predict strong winds, which could complicate the crossing as participants are only allowed to sail using wind power.

On Saturday, June 21st, the Puerto de Mahón Regatta will take place starting at 12:30 p.m., featuring a spectacular start within Mahón’s natural harbor. The old Maritime Station will be the starting point for a race that will take participants to the mouth of the port and back. Before that, at 10:00 a.m., a welcome event hosted by local authorities will be held. The race is sponsored by the Consell Insular de Menorca, the Mahón City Council, and the Balearic Port Authority.