The Solo Med fleet and cruising boats meet at the Sa Ràpita regatta course

This weekend, two important events coincided at the Club Nàutic Sa Ràpita (CNR) in the club's regatta calendar, of very different natures and participant profiles, but both reflecting the passion for sailing that the club promotes in all its forms.

Firstly, the CNR has repeated, for the third consecutive year, as host club in Mallorca of the Solo Med regatta for the Mini 6.50 class, organized by the Catalan Sailing Federation, together with other entities such as Barcelona Capital Nàutica, the Club Nàutic de Sa Ràpita, Base Mini Barcelona and the Classe Mini, consisting of 700 miles solo in the waters of Barcelona, the Balearic Islands and the Valencian Community. The participants are top-level sportsmen and women, and all are preparing for the Mini Transat, as this race is key to accumulating the miles needed to qualify for this prestigious competition. 

The start took place on the 6th of May from Barcelona, and the 24 participating boats completed the first leg, which linked Barcelona with Sa Ràpita. The participants arrived at the CNR in stages from Tuesday 7th at midday after completing a 200-mile route entering from the north of Mallorca and rounding Cabrera until disembarking in Sa Ràpita. 

After resting for a few days at the club's facilities, enjoying its hospitality, on Saturday 11th they set sail back to Barcelona to complete the second leg of the regatta, a 500-mile route around the Pitiusas Islands, returning to Sa Ràpita to make a passage control and rounding Mallorca to the north, heading towards Columbretes and finally arriving in Barcelona. But first, on Friday night, the eve of this second leg, the club treated them to a barbecue where they were able to bond and say goodbye until the end of the Solo Med. 

"It has become a tradition for sailors and organizers to come to the club, spend a few days resting and enjoy the attractions of Sa Ràpita," says Carlos Esteller, head of Cruising at the CNR. "At 12 o'clock we started the race at the scheduled time, in weather conditions marked by a southerly wind. We have placed an unmarking buoy a mile away from the club to make their course visible from the coast, heading towards the Pitiusas and returning to the CNR on Sunday night to make control of passage and receive instructions for the course to follow towards Barcelona, where they will arrive between Wednesday and Thursday," he adds.

Parallel to this regatta, on Saturday 11th the CNR hosted one of its social Saturday events for cruisers, which brought together around twenty boats and more than 60 sailors, and which had a special character as it was sponsored by Forn Sa Ràpita. By virtue of this sponsorship, the participants, after completing a triangular course between S'Estalella, Corberana and Sa Ràpita, enjoyed a brotherhood meal at the club, courtesy of this local business, which served salad, meatballs, squid, sandwiches, ensaimadas and other delicacies. "In this way, the sailors were able to discuss the day in the club's social club and share anecdotes and impressions," says Carlos Esteller. "With this type of agreement, we want to involve local businesses in the club's social activities, as well as improving the sailors' experience and the use of the club's facilities," he adds.

"The fleet set sail a little after 12 noon towards the mark, with a wind of between 6 and 10 knots, which later strengthened to 8-10 knots. The sailors headed for Corberana and then S'Estalella, finishing in front of the Forn. The winner was S'Indio III, followed by Nidea 2 and, completing the podium, Peppa. After the competition, lunch was served at 15:30. All the participants really enjoyed the day, they were delighted and wanted to come back," he said. 

"It has been a splendid day of sailing, with more than 40 boats in our waters from 11 o'clock in the morning. We at the club are very satisfied with the day," he concludes.