Successful second edition of the Illes Balears Solar Regatta

The Parc de la Mar hosted the second edition of the Illes Balears Solar Regatta, organized by the Makers Association of Mallorca with the aim of promoting and bringing technology and the search for renewable energies closer to the general public in the Balearic Islands, with a special focus on schools and the younger public.

The regatta consisted of a competition of boats powered exclusively by solar energy and crewed remotely or autonomously. The competition has two categories. The KIT to make the regatta accessible to everyone. During the construction phase, participants have been able to attend free workshops at FabLab Mallorca to build their boats. And the Open, designed for Makers who want to take their boat to another level with the latest technologies. 

The day was a good day for this second edition, which was a success in both categories, with participants from Mallorca and Ibiza, and allowed the boats to reach their maximum speed.  

The race, which began at 10am, consisted of a single 90-minute race combining endurance and speed. The pit entrances of the boats to change components created a competitive atmosphere despite the familiarity of the event. In addition, there was a paddle surf at the service of the participants as a rescue service. 

The only drawback of the day was that the armed forces helicopter, present at an event that was also taking place in the Parc de la Mar, caused several boats to capsize, including one of the Ibizan team's favourites. 

The results of the regatta are as follows:

Kit category:

1. Driftwood - Frederik Hukill

2-3. MQF i Preslavfun (tie)

4. EasyRobotics

5. ARE Youth

Open Category:

1. TiDa

2. INFAMOUS

3. RC Lockers

4. Solar Thrust II

5. ARE

6. EasyRobotics

In addition, the Sustainability Award was presented to Solar Thrust II by Miquel Carparrós Vives and the Innovation Award to Infamous by Ernesto Gutiérrez.

This initiative is also supported by Fablab Mallorca, the Maritime Museum, the Government's Directorate General for Innovation and AVV de Canamunt.