The Mini class arrives at the Real Club Náutico de Palma

The first 1,000-mile race organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma and the Real Club Marítimo de Melilla is already the most important event on the Mini 6.50 class circuit in the Mediterranean.

The 40 boats of the Mini class registered in the oceanic race Palma-Melilla-Palma A2 have already arrived at the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP), where this Saturday, November 9, the start of this 1,000 nautical mile journey will be given. Yesterday, November 5, was dedicated to the measurement and checking of the boats, an indispensable process to ensure that all units comply with the stipulated technical and safety requirements. The Mini class is made up of 6.50-meter-long boats subjected to strict homologation rules and designed for single-handed or double-handed sailing.

Next Thursday, November 7, at 13:00 hours, the Náutico de Palma will be the scene of the official opening ceremony of the race, an event that will be attended by authorities, organizers, and participants. During the presentation, all the details of the competition will be announced, driven by ocean sailor and RCNP sailing spokesman Hugo Ramón, and designed as a qualifying test for the 2025 Mini Transat.

Among those present will be Annabelle Moreau, secretary of the Mini 6.50 class for 23 years, who today highlighted the relevance of the race. “Although it is the first edition, Palma-Melilla is the most important race on this year's Mediterranean circuit. We are very interested to see how it develops because it has a very interesting route that has attracted many participants,” said Moreau.

The RCNP's Race Committee is analyzing the weather conditions to choose the most suitable route. Among the options being considered is for the fleet to pass through Cabrera and Formentera before heading to the Autonomous City of Melilla, depending on the wind and sea forecasts in the coming days.

According to Moreau, the good response from the sailors is due to several factors: “The reasons are, on one hand, the distance of 1,000 miles, which is almost like that of the Les Sables-Azores, and, on the other, the interest that a new route with arrival on the African continent has sparked, something that is unprecedented in the Mini circuit.” She also highlighted the hospitality of the RCNP: “We are very pleased with the welcome from the Real Club Náutico de Palma. The truth is that we are not used to this level of attention. I trust that everything will go well and that we can return to Palma in future editions.”

Unlike other races, the Palma-Melilla-Palma will not score the stages independently, but the total accumulated time in both crossings will be counted. This means that the participants must maintain a high level of performance at all times, as any setback could affect the overall result of the competition.

Aleix Sellés, Hugo Ramón's teammate aboard the sailboat “Cristalmina,” explained that, although it is still early to know the conditions, it is most likely that on Saturday there will be "rain and good tailwind," which would allow participants to "plane at about 18 knots of speed." Sellés added that, due to its layout, the Palma-Melilla-Palma is a race "more about speed than strategy" and assured that “Cristalmina” "is impeccable and fully prepared" to face the journey at its maximum performance.