The Mini class fleet, tested in the second stage of the Palma-Melilla-Palma

The second stage of the Palma-Melilla-Palma A2 regatta for the Mini 6.50 class is testing the endurance of the 30 boats that continue in competition after the retirements of the "Chaner R.," by Caner Akdolun and Deniz Bagci, and the "Rapscallion," by Simon Hunter and Jate Shaffer.

The "Chaner R.," the only boat flying the Turkish flag, returned to the Real Club Marítimo de Melilla a few hours after the start of the journey due to a broken shroud, while the American "Rapscallion" opted to seek refuge in the Club de Mar of Almería after detecting a structural problem in the keel.

The fleet, which left Melilla on Saturday, November 16 under rough sea conditions and headwind, continues to face especially difficult conditions. The wind, which had been blowing against them for 30 hours, kept the participants scattered between Cabo de Gata and Cartagena. According to the weather reports, these conditions will persist until the early morning of Monday, November 18, when the wind will start to abate, leading to a long calm expected until the next day. From then on, the sailors could finally find tailwinds that favor their progress towards the Bay of Palma.

The journey, 500 miles non-stop, is proving particularly demanding for these small vessels designed for sailing with tailwinds, not for enduring prolonged tacking sessions. The pounding, constant moisture, and difficult tactical decisions are marking this second stage.

In the prototype category, the "Optimum," manned by Mateo Le Calvic and Arthur Meurose, continues as the favorite after prevailing in the first stage. Meanwhile, the "Red Hot Mini Pepper," by the Italians Nicolo Gamenara and Giacomo Nicchitta, leads the ranking in the series boats category, where the majority of the fleet is concentrated.

The first edition of the Palma-Melilla-Palma A2 regatta is organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma and the Real Club Marítimo de Melilla and is considered the most important event of the year for the Mini 6.50 class in the Mediterranean, as it counts towards the ranking for the Mini Transat 2025.