History and competition, the perfect combination for the Regata Rei en Jaume

The race that connects the municipalities of Salou and Calvià, with its 38 editions, is the oldest offshore regatta held in the Balearic Islands and one of the most important in Spain.

The Calvià Town Hall hosted this Monday, August 27, the presentation of this event that recreates the route that led Jaime I in 1229 to the island of Pantaleu first, and then to the Majorcan coast to begin the conquest.

The nautical event, organized since 1986 by the Club Náutico Santa Ponça, CN Salou, and with the collaboration of Port Adriano, Port Tarraco, and the town halls of Calvià and Salou, combines history and tradition in one of the few offshore sailing competitions that remain on the national calendar.

In addition to awarding the best in the cruiser categories, Manuel Nadal, director of the Regata Rei en Jaume, pointed out that a special trophy will be given to the vessel that manages to break the crossing record, a mark held by the vessel "Peregrin," skippered by Gloria Fluxá, with a time of 13 hours and 48 minutes.

The Mallorcan fleet will be represented by "Indigo" of Pedro Siquier (CN s'Arenal) and "Mestral Fast" of Jaume Morell (CV Santa Ponsa), who was the winner in the ORC class of the Regata Rei en Jaume in 2022.

The progress of the regatta can also be followed live through the website of Club Náutico de Santa Ponça thanks to the sailing-tracking system that equips all participating vessels with GPS devices to emit a constant signal throughout the journey, thus ensuring greater safety during the course.

The sports program of the regatta will start on Friday, September 5, with the skippers' meeting and the welcome dinner for the participants at CN de Salou. On Saturday, September 6, the participating boats will gather in the bay of the Catalan town, where the start is planned, and the trophy ceremony will take place on Sunday, September 7.

Juan Antonio Amengual, mayor of Calvià, thanked the organizers for their work at the helm of this regatta which "symbolizes the twinning of the municipalities of Calvià and Salou, as well as allowing the historic conquest of Rei Jaume I to be relived." The mayor also called on all sailors to join this exciting journey of about 110 miles.

Luis Nigorra, president of Club Náutico de Santa Ponça, highlighted the importance of the institutional support from the councils of Calvià and Salou, as well as the effort made by Port Adriano and Port Tarraco.

Manuel Nadal de Uhler, director of the Regata Rei en Jaume, recalled that, with its 38 editions, this is the oldest offshore competition that still remains active. "This year, 16 boats will participate, although we may reach 18 because the registrations have not yet closed," he remarked.