La flota se prepara para las 200 Millas A2 – La decisiva carrera de larga distancia en alta mar de los Europeos Dobles ORC 2026

March 5, 2026 - Altea, Spain - The fleet of the 2026 ORC Double-Handed European Championship is preparing for its main challenge today as the sailors line up for the 200 Millas A2, the 200-mile Long Offshore Race that forms the decisive stage of the championship.

First held in 1987, the 200 Millas A2 has long been one of the Mediterranean’s most respected winter offshore races. This year, celebrating the 40th edition, it also serves as the centrepiece of the ORC Double-Handed European Championship, adding further prestige to the historic regatta organised by Club Náutico de Altea.

After the demanding opening Short Offshore Race earlier in the week, Wednesday provided the crews with a welcome opportunity to rest. Sailors and organizers gathered at the club for a traditional paella lunch, sharing a relaxed moment together before returning their focus to preparations for the long offshore challenge ahead.

One of the notable retirements came from O’MARY LOU (X-332), sailed by veteran world champion Jesús de Miguel and José Gutiérrez, after a boom failure during the Short Offshore Race brought an early end to their campaign. The boat arrived in Altea with strong credentials, having carried de Miguel to the ORC Double-Handed World Championship title in Barcelona. Following attempts to repair the damage, the team confirmed last night that they would be unable to continue, describing the outcome as difficult to accept after the effort required to reach the starting line, while thanking Club Náutico de Altea for its support and expressing their intention to return in 2027.

According to the latest forecasts, conditions are expected to be more moderate than those experienced during the opening race.

“Based on the latest weather information, it appears that the wind intensity should be lower than during the past few days,” said Principal Race Officer Marino Gil. “There is still some breeze expected, but from Thursday onward the conditions should become more favourable for the fleet.”

The weather pattern during the long offshore race may remain somewhat unsettled.

“The long race will take place with some uncertainty in the weather pattern,” explained meteorologist Samuel Biener. “A small low-pressure system is expected to pass between the Alicante coast and the Balearic Islands, bringing variable winds mainly from the south to the east sector. There is also the possibility of stronger southerlies in the Ibiza Channel and some showers or isolated thunderstorms, particularly during the first day of the race.”

These evolving conditions could make tactical choices even more important for the double-handed crews as they navigate the course around Ibiza and Formentera, then back to Altea.

The start of the 200 Millas A2 Long Offshore Race is scheduled for Thursday, March 5, at 12:00, when the fleet will set course from Altea toward Ibiza and Formentera.

PRO Gil explained that the course may begin with a windward mark if required by the wind conditions before the fleet heads offshore. From there, the boats will sail north of Ibiza, passing San Antonio, before continuing along the eastern side of the island toward Santa Eulalia. In this area, the crews may encounter Tagomago Island, which can be left either to port or starboard depending on the final course configuration.

The race then continues south toward La Mola lighthouse at El Pilar de la Mola on Formentera, one of the key turning points of the course. After rounding this mark, the fleet will set a direct course back across the Mediterranean to the finish in Altea.

“At this stage, we do not foresee any particular difficulties,” Gil added. “This is the traditional course of the race and one that the club knows very well.”

Spectators wishing to follow the start from the water will have the opportunity to board the 130-seat Mundo Marino catamaran, departing at 10:30 from the fuel dock area of the club’s boatyard.

The championship can be followed in real time online via the official event website, with GPS tracking on all boats and live mobile tracking available through the TracTrac application. https://www.200millasa2.com/index

Depending on conditions, the long offshore race is expected to take approximately 48 to 60 hours for the slower boats in the fleet. Reflecting its importance in the championship, the Long Offshore Race carries a 1.5 scoring multiplier in the overall standings.

4th edition of the ORC Double-Handed European Championship 2026, staged in conjunction with the historic 40th anniversary edition of the 200 Millas A2 offshore race, is organized by Altea Sailing Club (Club Náutico Altea – CN Altea) in collaboration with the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC), and runs from March 1–7.

Support and Partnerships

For this special anniversary edition, Club Náutico de Altea is supported by a strong group of partners who align with the regatta’s heritage and values. The event is sponsored by battery company GS YUASA, sailmaker ONE SAILS (providing service throughout the regatta), watch brand NECKMARINE, marine store MARINA ALTA (offering service all week at its port facilities), COMUNITAT DE L’ESPORT, and naval rigging company GALANIA LEVANTINA.

ORC Partners are Vennvind, TracTrac, PredictWind, Garmin, and Leica Geosystems.

Follow the ORC DH European Championship 2026:

• 200 Millas a2 Website
• ORC DH European Championship 2026 Website
• Live Tracking by TracTrac
• Photo galleries

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