Competitive inshore racing got underway today in Valencia as the 26th Trofeo S.M. La Reina – 37th Copa Almirante Marcial Sánchez-Barcaíztegui, the flagship regatta of the Real Club Náutico de Valencia (RCNV), launched its highly anticipated inshore phase. Over 100 yachts from 11 nations took to the water in ideal summer conditions, with two races completed per class.
The fleet raced across three designated courses located off El Saler and Pinedo beaches, propelled by a steady 9–10 knot easterly wind (75°). The regatta, a tribute to the Spanish Navy, continues to assert its status as one of the most prestigious and internationally representative events in the Mediterranean.
Day One Class Leaders
- ORC0 – Mercedes Valdisa: Vudú (T52, Mauro Gestri) leads with a 2nd and a 1st. Last year’s champion Lisa R (Giovanni di Vincenzo) won the first race but dropped to 4th in the second, placing her just outside the top spot.
- ORC1 – Varadero Valencia: Selene Alifax (Swan 42, Massimo de Campo) tops the leaderboard with a 1st and 3rd. Hot on their heels are Mercedes-Benz Valdisa (DK46, Rolf Alf Der Maur) and Elena Nova (Swan 42, Javier Sanz).
- ORC2 – MSC: Katara (PG390, Julian Somodi, Argentina) and Mágica (Marco Corno) are tied with 6 points apiece, thanks to mirrored finishes (5th/1st and 1st/5th).
- ORC3 – Energy Nautic Services: Falapouco (Andrés Manresa) dominated with back-to-back wins. Italy’s Sarchiapone Fuoriserie (Gianluigi Dubbini) secured two 2nd-place finishes, with DE 6 and Tecopsa close behind.
- ORC4 – Occident: Lassal (Gonzalo Calvo) is undefeated after two races. Índigo (Pedro Siquier) and Dax (Sergio Durá) follow in 2nd and 3rd respectively, both with consistent finishes.
- J80 – Royal Blis: Menorca Team (Pepequin Orbaneja) sits at the top after a 2nd and a 1st. Lotsafun (Tony Hayward) trails by just one point, while Sal (helmed by Neus Ballester) is close behind in 3rd.
A Mediterranean Melting Pot
The regatta’s international reach was fully evident today, with yachts and crews representing Spain, Italy, Germany, the UK, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Switzerland, Montenegro, Turkey, UAE, and Argentina. With more than 1,000 sailors on the water, the Trofeo SM La Reina has once again cemented its role as a pillar of the Mediterranean racing calendar.
A Regatta with Legacy
The regatta is organized by RCNV under the authority of the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation (RFEV) and in cooperation with the Valencian Sailing Federation (FVCV). It is included in the official national calendar, scoring points for the Mediterranean Sailing Circuit and the Lliga de Creuers de la Comunitat Valenciana.
The event is also supported by key institutions including the Higher Sports Council, Generalitat Valenciana, City of Valencia, Valencia Sports Foundation, and the Provincial Council of Valencia, along with World Sailing, Turisme València, and Cruz Roja.
As competition continues through the weekend, all eyes remain on the evolving leaderboard, where consistency and tactical excellence will determine who claims the prestigious trophies in Valencia’s most emblematic sailing event.
