The Volta a Mallorca A3 gears up with nearly 30 boats registered

Nearly 30 sailboats will take on this endurance challenge starting Friday, April 11, where calm conditions will put the crews' skills to the test.

Almost 30 boats are preparing to compete in the twelfth edition of the Volta a Mallorca A3 Memorial Jaume Binimelis, taking place from April 11 to 13. The competition, organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP), will bring together cruising yachts with ORC certificates, each crewed by three sailors.

The event has attracted strong participation, largely because it is part of the 1st Interclubs A3 Circuit, a league that includes three of the main offshore races in the Mediterranean for reduced crews: the 300 Millas de Moraira Trofeo GREFUSA, held in January; the Volta a Mallorca A3; and the 45th Regata Columbretes, which will take place in early June.

The appeal of the Interclubs A3 Circuit has encouraged several teams from outside the islands to take part in this edition of the Volta a Mallorca, including last year's winner, “Smerit.” The boat, owned by Tito Moure of Club de Vela Blanes, will attempt to defend the title it won in 2024.

Also returning is “Enero,” owned by Luis Bustillo. The yacht from Real Club Astur de Regatas was the winner last year in the ORC 3-4 category and will once again aim to dominate among the fleet’s smaller boats.

The race, set to begin this Friday at 12:00 p.m., consists of a non-stop circumnavigation of the island of Mallorca, approximately 151 nautical miles, in the direction determined by the Race Committee based on weather conditions at the time of departure. As in previous editions, RCNP will equip each participating boat with GPS transmitters to broadcast real-time positions and allow the public to follow the race at all times.

The weather forecast predicts easterly winds of around 14 knots at the start, but these are expected to weaken over the weekend, which could extend the race and turn it into a grueling test of endurance and strategy.

Participants in this Volta a Mallorca will be divided into three groups based on their boat’s certificate. The longest boats will compete in the ORC 0-2 class, medium-sized ones in ORC 3, and the smallest in ORC 4.

The VIII Volta a Mallorca A3 pays tribute to Jaume Binimelis, the historic commodore of the Real Club Náutico de Palma and owner of “Petrouchka III,” with which he won three editions of this race and two editions of the Middle Sea Race, the round-Sicily race from Malta.