The South Atlantic Circuit 2024 begins
January 12, 2024 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - For over 50 years, Rolex has maintained a committed relationship with the most prestigious competitions, regattas, clubs, and sailors in this discipline. The most experienced crews and boats from around the world gather each year at a unique event: The South Atlantic Circuit Rolex Cup (Rolex Circuito Atlántico Sur).
Its 2024 edition takes place between January 13th and 22nd and will crown the new champions of this renowned regatta who will compete for the first place against their predecessors, listed as follows:
- ORC 1 CLASS Winner 2023: Crioula 52 - TP52 owned by Eduardo Plass, Brazil
- ORC 2 CLASS Winner 2023: Katara - PG 390 owned by Julian Somodi, Argentina
- ORC 3 CLASS Winner 2023: Bitacora 2 owned by Rodrigo Fontán, Argentina
- ORC SPORTBOAT CLASS Winner 2023: Alpha Beta - J24 owned by Alejandro de la Tour, Yacht Club Punta del Este
- J 70 CLASS Winner 2023: Viking owned by H. Solber of Iate Clube Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Organized by the Yacht Club Argentino and the Yacht Club Punta del Este, the circuit begins with a course of 174 nautical miles (approximately 323 kilometers) between the cities of Buenos Aires and Punta del Este. The starting line is located at kilometer 5 of the South Access Channel to the Port of Buenos Aires, from where the boats set course to the buoy marking kilometer 19 of the Access Channel to the Port of Buenos Aires, before crossing the Rio de la Plata towards Punta Brava, the southernmost point of Montevideo, and then heading to the finish line in Punta del Este.
Once the competitors reach the city of Punta del Este, they compete in four windward-leeward races in front of the La Mansa area. They also have to tackle two medium-distance coastal races, one around Gorriti Island and another from the local port to the Barra de Maldonado, bordering the traditional English, Brava, and Chiverta beaches.
At the end of the competitions, as is tradition, various social events will take place, bringing together competitors with local and international references and prominent figures. Finally, the awards ceremony will be held in the city of Punta del Este, followed by the eagerly anticipated party to crown this emblematic end-of-the-world regatta.