Powerful Opening Test in Altea as Short Offshore Race Launches 2026 ORC Double-Handed Europeans

03. Mar 2026

March 3, 2026 - Altea, Spain - The 2026 ORC Double-Handed European Championship opened today in demanding Mediterranean conditions, as the fleet tackled a 37-nautical-mile Short Offshore Race off Altea in winds gusting up to 35 knots and a significant swell that tested crews from the very first mile.

All three ORC classes started together at 12:00 under grey skies and a building northeasterly breeze. What was forecast as a solid offshore day quickly developed into a true endurance test for the double-handed teams, with steep sea state and sustained pressure across the race area. Starting off in Altea, the fleet went around Moraira, Altea, and the Island of Benidorm before finishing off the club, near the port entrance.

From the outset, the fleet faced a physical and tactical challenge. Shortly after the start, three boats were forced to retire. Several teams were unable to start or complete the race, underscoring how demanding the opening race proved.

2026 ORC DH European Championship Altea / 200 Millas a2 2026 © Julia Matos Astorgano

“The conditions today were really demanding for double-handed racing,” said Principal Race Officer Marino Gil. “We had a steady northeasterly of around 20 knots throughout the day, with gusts well above 30 knots at times, combined with a swell of nearly two metres. It required careful fleet management and constant attention to safety, but the crews who finished showed a very high level of preparation and seamanship in tough offshore conditions.”

Line Honours

The fastest boat on the water was AQUARELLE 1 VARADERO (Frers 45) of Arturo Meseguer and Toni Puig, who claimed Line Honours with an elapsed time of 4:44:41, delivering a commanding performance in the heavy breeze.

AQUARELLE 1 VARADERO (Frers 45), sailed by Arturo Meseguer and Toni Puig - 2026 ORC DH European Championship Altea / 200 Millas a2 2026 © Julia Matos Astorgano

Class Winners

Class A

In Class A, 14 boats were entered and eight completed the race. The competition proved extremely close under ORC Weather Routing Scoring, with tight margins separating the leading teams.

Victory went to ZIVING (Grand Soleil 46 S), sailed by Javier Arbona and Bruno Garcia of RCN Valencia, who delivered the strongest corrected-time performance in the demanding northeasterly conditions.

ZIVING (Grand Soleil 46 S) of Javier Arbona and Bruno Garcia - 2026 ORC DH European Championship Altea / 200 Millas a2 2026 © Julia Matos Astorgano

Second place was secured by TRABUCO (XP-44) of Francisco Martínez and Isidoro Rebollo (RCN Torrevieja), finishing 2 minutes and 37 seconds behind the winners after time correction.

Third place went to COOL (Azuree 46), sailed by Daniel Maestre and Pablo Geras of CN Jávea, just 2 minutes and 55 seconds off the winning time, confirming how competitive the opening race proved to be in the largest boats of the fleet.

Class B

In Class B, the win went to FALAPOUCO (Dufour 40 DK), sailed by José Ballester and Andrés Manresa for Real Club Náutico Torrevieja. The Spanish pair sailed a composed and disciplined race in the strong breeze to secure victory.

They were followed by TAGOMAGO III (Dehler 42) of Rodrigo Álvarez and Florian Kreis (RCN Calpe), while REGULUS 1 (J 99 DK) of Alfonso López and Iván Elejabeitia (CNR Cartagena) completed the podium.

FALAPOUCO is well known in Spanish offshore racing, with major full-crew victories including the 2025 Trofeo Conde de Godó, the XXVI Trofeo SM La Reina (ORC 3) and the 2024 Copa del Rey ORC title. The team has now successfully translated that experience into the double-handed format.

Reflecting on the race, Andrés Manresa said:

“I think it was strong conditions — very strong at times. At the beginning, it was manageable, but after we passed Calpe, we had a lot of rain and very strong winds. It eased a little before Moraira, then built again. The maximum wind we saw was 37 knots. We were happy to see the result when arriving at the marina, and yes, we were fighting for a top position. The Dehler 42 TAGOMAGO III was our main contender. We are satisfied that everything is okay — nothing is broken.”

Class C

Class C experienced the highest attrition rate of the fleet. Of 17 entries, only seven teams completed the race. One did not start, and six retired.

At the front, MESTRAL FAST (Sun Fast 36), sailed by Jaime Morell and Pedro Siquier of RCN Palma, delivered a controlled and consistent performance to take the win. Second place went to AURORA (First 36.7) with Javier Lledó and Jesús del Toro representing RCN Calpe, finishing just 3 minutes and 48 seconds behind on corrected time. Third place was secured by XUFIN (X-99), helmed by Jorge San Simón and Carlos Pareja of RCR Alicante, 6 minutes and 59 seconds behind the winner after time correction.

Looking ahead

With one race completed and points now on the board, the championship moves into its next phase as teams prepare for the long offshore challenge later this week — the iconic 200 Millas a2 regatta course from Altea to Ibiza, Formentera and back.

If today’s race was any indication, the 2026 ORC Double-Handed European Championship promises to reward resilience, preparation and true offshore discipline. The Long Offshore Race will carry a higher weight in the results, with a 1.5 multiplier.

Thursday, March 5, at 12:00 p.m., the fleet will set course for Ibiza to sail the traditional 200 Millas A2. Those wishing to follow the regatta from the sea may board the 130-seat Mundo Marino catamaran at 10:30 a.m. at the fuel dock area of the club’s boatyard. The long offshore race will be approximately 48-60 hours for the slowest boat. Start in Altea – Ibiza Island – Formentera Island – Altea.

Wednesday, March 4, will be reserved as a rest and preparation day, highlighted by the traditional 14:00 paella gathering for participants and organisers.

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

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:

#orcsailing #TheEqualChanceToWin #orcdheuropeans