The Balearic fleet competes in the 2026 ORC A2 European Championship

The 37-mile offshore sprint race opened yesterday, March 3, the 40th edition of the 2026 ORC A2 European Championship, featuring eleven boats from Balearic yacht clubs.

The 40th Winter Regatta 200 Millas A2, which this year is being held as the ORC A2 European Championship 2026, began yesterday with a demanding 37-mile short offshore race. Organized by the Club Náutico de Altea in collaboration with the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC), the event brings together 53 boats from seven nationalities until March 7, confirming its importance within the European offshore racing calendar.

Of the 53 entries, 11 are from the Balearic Islands: Stargazer, Formula X, Ava, Azuree, Yabadaba Too, Blue Flag, Mestral Fast and Formidable, all from Real Club Náutico de Palma; Modul, from Club Nàutic Santa Ponsa and Club Nàutic s’Arenal; Bip Bip, from Club de Mar; and Jolie Volie, from Club de Vela Puerto de Andratx.

After two days of safety inspections and equipment checks, the competition began yesterday, Tuesday the 3rd, at 12:00. Weather forecasts predicted north-northeast winds (gregal) of 15 to 25 knots, with gusts potentially exceeding 30 knots, requiring crews to carefully manage sails, energy and strategy from the very first mile.

The course takes the fleet from Altea toward Moraira (starboard), back to Altea (port), then past Benidorm Island (starboard) before finishing in front of the club. A short but technical and selective race that sets the tone for the championship before the rest day scheduled for Wednesday.

Thursday the 5th will be the most anticipated day of the championship. At 12:00, the 53 boats will set course for Ibiza to complete the traditional 200 Millas A2 offshore race.

Those wishing to follow the regatta from the sea can board the 130-seat Mundo Marino catamaran departing at 10:30 from the fuel dock in the club’s boatyard area. The championship can also be followed in real time via GPS tracking on the official website and the TracTrac app.

Considered the most demanding winter regatta in the Mediterranean, the event continues to attract some of the best offshore sailing specialists from Spain and abroad. The fleet includes many sailors with world titles, transoceanic campaigns and extensive ORC racing experience.

Among the standout Spanish competitors is Iñaki Castañer (CASTAÑER YACHTS – DK 46), with ten world titles, twelve Atlantic crossings and more than thirty national trophies. Also competing is Kiko Moret (HYBRID – First 30), the most successful skipper in the history of the 200 Millas A2 with five overall victories.

In Class C, world champion Jesús de Miguel (O’MARY LOU – X-332) returns to the A2 format alongside José Gutiérrez, bringing proven experience and teamwork from international championships.

On the international side, Germany’s Martin Buck (MIA GIOIA – Neo 430 Roma), the current ORC A2 world champion in Class A, races with Yves de Block. Buck approaches the regatta expecting very different conditions from the light winds that characterized the 2025 World Championship in Monfalcone.

Dutch sailor Peter de Ridder (CHECKMATE – Bashford 41), an ORC world medalist, brings experience from major IMS and ORC campaigns, while double winners José Ballester and Andrés Manresa (FALAPOUCO – Dufour 40 DK) combine local knowledge with consistent competitive performance.

The A2 spirit is also reflected in several family and mixed crews. Among them are Thomas and Anton Scherer (STARGAZER – Neo 400 Carbon), the German father-and-son team, and brothers José Luis and Carlos Frances (M10 – Swan 45 OD).

Juan and Thierry Lallemand (GUAGUANCO IV – Sun Fast 3300), two-time winners of the event and ORC A2 world medalists, also return, reinforcing their reputation as offshore specialists.

Diversity is another highlight of the fleet, with mixed teams such as Olaf Kunigk and Eva Veracruz (MEVILLA-JUMBUCK – J-109) and the Spanish duo Berta Campos and Nacho Campos (TANIT IV – MEDILEVEL – Grand Soleil 37 BC), emphasizing the inclusive character of the championship.

From Swan 75 and Grand Soleil 46S yachts to carbon Neo designs, DK 46, Italia 11.98 and the Sun Fast 3300, the fleet showcases the full spectrum of platforms optimized under the ORC rule.

Special attention is drawn to the XR 41 by X-Yachts, a new high-performance design that won the 2025 ORC World Championship in Class B and now competes in the A2 format in Class A, representing the evolution of modern offshore yacht design.

The 40th edition of the 200 Millas A2 is supported by GS YUASA, ONE SAILS, NECKMARINE, MARINA ALTA, Comunitat de l’Esport and GALANIA LEVANTINA, consolidating an event that combines tradition, high-level competition and international projection.