The 200 Miles a2 Race Opens Its 36th Winter Run from Altea
The Bay of Altea will welcome 30 sailboats at noon this Friday as they embark on the annual 200 mile a2 race, a winter endurance test long regarded as the Mediterranean’s sternest sailing challenge. Organized by Club Náutico de Altea since 1987, the route remains constant: Altea to Ibiza to Formentera and back to Altea. This event contributes to the Spanish A2 Cruiser Championship and signals the start of the A2 World Championship, which will take place in Barcelona in September.
Two-crew boats from Valencia, Alicante, Toledo and Palma de Mallorca will share the fleet with four mixed-crew entries for the first time in edition 37. The club noted that cruise racing is attracting more women offshore, with Susanna Edelman, Nerea Goikoetxea, Elena Raga from Torrevieja and Mallorcan Neus Poncell taking part in this year’s field.
Thirty-eight boats challenge the 200-mile Two-Way Race
In this edition, the regatta features a larger fleet and deeper international interest, reinforcing its status as a demanding winter test. The event has long drawn attention for the dual-crews format and the rugged conditions sailors face across the Ionian and western Mediterranean winds. The aim remains not just speed but the resilience of crews under pressure.
On the start line, the club emphasizes that the sport is opening up to broader participation. The race, historically powered by practical seamanship and grit, continues to be a proving ground for vessels and teams alike.
The start and growth of the event reflect a tradition of testing navigation and teamwork. It stands as a reminder that advancing GPS and modern safety systems have changed the game, yet the genuine challenge endures—finishing the course remains the core goal rather than merely securing a podium.
The start of the 200 mile a2 race in the last edition drew wide attention, with a notable crowd watching from the harbor. The race once again highlighted the enduring appeal of offshore sailing and the commitment of competitors to push through difficult conditions.
The competition record shows strong participation by previous editions. In 2022, nearly 1,750 boats took part, covering a combined 7,200 miles of racing. This year, sailor Juan Merediz will compete aboard Reale Seguros as part of his preparation for the Global Solo Challenge, a test of endurance on a nonstop world tour. Merediz plans to test several new parts of his boat during the 200 mile a2, using the event as a meaningful preparation stage.
24 Hour Challenge
Once again this year, the organizers introduce the 24 Hour Challenge, inviting entrants to complete the course in under 24 hours from the start. The challenge adds a layer of strategy and pace to the regatta, appealing to crews who relish a grueling clock-driven test.
36th Edition Sparks Sea-Going Enthusiasm
The Altea Yacht Club is promoting the 36th edition with a steady hand. The club notes that while the overall record remains unbroken, there have been near-misses where boats came close to the mark. The competition also welcomes entries without an ORC measurement certificate, provided their technical characteristics qualify them to race. The current speed record is held by a boat known as Plis-play, a tribute to its 18th appearance in 2004 with a time of 25 hours, 33 minutes, and 55 seconds.
The race plan calls for vessels to depart Altea, sail along the Ibiza coast on the starboard side, pass Formentera on the starboard side, and return to Altea. The anticipated first arrivals are expected on Saturday afternoon or evening, with boats of ORC Measurement Certificate for 9 meters and above, plus Mini Series and Prototype Class boats participating.
The club’s media stream highlights a past winner from 2021, while the 37th edition continues to celebrate the sport’s teamwork and strategy across a mixed fleet of craft.
The organizer also reaffirms the traditional Cup for Clubs, a prize introduced seven years ago during the 30th edition of the 200 miles a2. The trophy rewards the club whose team achieves the best overall score, calculated from the three best-ranked boats, with the winning club named Real Club Náutico de Valencia, RCN Torrevieja, RCN Calpe and CN Altea among the contenders this year. This format underscores the collaborative spirit and the shared pursuit of excellence across member clubs.
In a separate highlight, the Altea Yacht Club reiterates its long-standing commitment to awarding silver prizes. Since the race began in 1987, the top three finishers have earned specific silver ingots, with the total distribution tally reaching 204 kilos across 36 editions. The tradition remains a tangible symbol of the event’s heritage and prestige.
Real-time race tracking
To heighten the excitement and accessibility of the event, participating boats can be monitored via satellite through GPS tracking. Real-time updates are available on the event’s official portal and through a mobile tracking app, enabling fans to follow the race as it unfolds from anywhere. This modern layer of visibility complements the enduring appeal of watching boats carve through the Mediterranean’s winter seas.