Today the start of La Larga - the offshore race to Sandberg Palmavela

The 2026 edition of Sandberg PalmaVela got underway today with the start of La Larga, its offshore race, as a fleet of 35 boats left the Real Club Náutico de Palma to begin a course around the Balearic archipelago. La Larga is also the second event of the IMA Maxi Mediterranean Offshore Challenge.

At 13:05 local time, the fleet started in the Bay of Palma under favourable conditions, with a south-southwesterly breeze (200º) of 10 to 13 knots, slightly stronger than forecast, heading towards La Rápita. Six classes  - IRC, ORC 0, ORC 1, ORC 2-3, ORC A2 and the Mini 6.50 class - crossed the start line just off Palma bay

Before the start, Toni Guiu, owner of the TP52 Aproperties Blue Carbon, commented: “The more you sail, the more you live, and if the race is longer, even better. Racing in Palma is always a plus, with top-level organisation and a highly competitive fleet.”

Three courses, one race The Race Committee managed to have three different courses, ranging from 195 to nearly 300 nautical miles, depending on class. The longest course, close to 300 nm, is reserved for the IRC fleet, which include the Wally 100  Tilakkhana II, owned by IMA members Pascale Decaux, featuring Spanish Olympic champion Támara Echegoyen. Another IMA member racing in La Larga is Carlo Pirzio Biroli, owner of Southern Wond 96 Liberty. The race course includes La Rápita, Formentera, Vedrà and Vedranell, before returning via Espardell and Porto Colom.

IRC yachts are expected to finish during the early hours of April 27, between 04:00 and 07:00.

The 230-nm course is sailed by ORC 0, ORC 1 and Mini 6.50, while ORC 2-3 and ORC A2 compete on a shorter 195-mile course.

The time limit to complete La Larga is set at 10:00 local time on April 28.

Live tracking The race can be followed live via the official tracking system at www.palmavela.com

The prize giving ceremony will take place on April 28 at 19:00 at the Real Club Náutico de Palma.

(Source: Sandberg Palmavela media team) 

www.palmavela.com

Alejandro Varela

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alejandro@infosailing.net

Helena Paz

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Clara Giraldo

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clara@infosailing.net