The sixth edition of La Larga, the offshore centerpiece of the Sandberg PalmaVela regatta, concluded Monday as the most fiercely contested in its history. Organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP), the 22nd edition of PalmaVela saw 35 boats across six classes tackle a grueling 300-mile course around the Balearic Islands, with results reshaping the Mediterranean offshore racing landscape.

The Race That Defied Predictions

Tilakkhana II, the 100-foot Wallycento owned and skippered by French sailor Pascale Decaux, crossed the finish line at 18:57 local time (16:57 UTC) on Sunday, April 26, after 29 hours, 52 minutes, and 31 seconds at sea. The victory marked the first time a boat had secured both Line Honours (first to finish in real time) and the IRC class win in the same edition of La Larga.

“Until now we’ve had conditions incredibly solid for navigation, with winds above what was initially forecast,” said Manu Fraga, director of RCNP, moments after Tilakkhana II’s arrival. “This benefited the larger boats, which are averaging speeds well above expectations and finishing nearly four hours ahead of schedule.”

The Wallycento, which also carried Olympic champion Támara Echegoyen as part of its crew, maintained speeds consistently above 10-11 knots for much of the race. Its performance set the tone for what would become a record-breaking edition, with the entire fleet navigating conditions that oscillated between near-perfect and near-calm.

A Night of Contrasts

While Tilakkhana II enjoyed favorable winds early in the race, the rest of the fleet faced a dramatic shift in conditions during the overnight hours. A near-total calm settled over the Balearic archipelago, testing the endurance of crews and the tactical acumen of skippers. The final stretch became a battle of attrition, with some boats taking more than 52 hours to complete the course.

The staggered finish times underscored the depth of competition. By Monday afternoon, the last of the Mini 6.50 class boats were still making their way to the line off Cala Figuera, their smaller size and lighter weight leaving them particularly vulnerable to the fickle winds.

Class-by-Class Breakdown: Winners and Near-Misses

The 2026 edition of La Larga featured six distinct classes, each with its own drama and standout performances. Here’s how the podiums shook out:

IRC Class

• 1st: Tilakkhana II (Pascale Decaux) – 29:52:31
• 2nd: Luce Guida (Jean-Michel Caye) – +1h 12m (corrected time)
• 3rd: Liberty (Carlo Pirzio) – +1h 47m (corrected time)

Tilakkhana II’s dominance was evident from the start, but Liberty, with veteran tactician Bouwe Bekking on board, remained a persistent threat. At one point, Liberty trailed by just 15 miles as it rounded Cabo Salinas, though it ultimately finished nearly two hours behind in corrected time.

ORC 0

• 1st (corrected time): Intrigue (Joaquín Verona) – Swan 56
• 2nd (line honours): Aproperties Blue Carbon (Toni Guiu) – TP52
• 3rd: Spirit (August Kiermaier) – German entry

The ORC 0 class saw a tactical masterclass from Joaquín Verona’s Intrigue, which capitalized on its corrected-time advantage after Aproperties Blue Carbon led in real time. The TP52, one of the most advanced boats in the fleet, was the second to cross the line but fell short in the time-on-time calculations.

ORC 1

• 1st: Caro (Sven Heyden) – Fastest in class
• 2nd: Expression of London (Local entry)
• 3rd: Vertigo

ORC 2-3

• 1st: Kine (Sean McCarter)
• 2nd: Gudrun VIII (RCNP)
• 3rd: Histolab (RCNP)

The ORC 2-3 class highlighted the strength of the Real Club Náutico de Palma’s local fleet, with Gudrun VIII and Histolab securing second and third, respectively. Sean McCarter’s Kine, although, proved untouchable, leading from start to finish.

A2 Class

• 1st: Hydra-HM Hospitales (Óscar Chaves)
• 2nd: Mia Gioia (German entry) – +16m (corrected time)

The A2 class delivered one of the tightest finishes of the regatta, with just 16 minutes separating Hydra-HM Hospitales and Mia Gioia in corrected time. The margin was so slim that crews could see each other’s sails as they approached the line.

Mini 6.50 Class (Debut Edition)

• 1st: Ginjol (Felip Moll) – 52h 14m
• 2nd: Magikarp (Tomás Ruiz) – +3m

La Larga’s inaugural Mini 6.50 class lived up to the hype, with Felip Moll’s Ginjol edging out Tomás Ruiz’s Magikarp by a mere three minutes after more than two days at sea. The class, known for its extreme lightweight designs and solo or double-handed crews, added a new layer of excitement to the regatta.

What’s Next for PalmaVela

With La Larga now in the books, the Sandberg PalmaVela shifts focus to its inshore races, set to begin Wednesday, April 29. The 52 Super Series, one of the most prestigious grand-prix circuits in the world, will headline the event, drawing a fleet of high-performance TP52s to the waters off Palma de Mallorca.

For the crews that competed in La Larga, the next challenge is recovery. Many will spend the coming days analyzing performance data, repairing gear, and preparing for the shorter, more intense races ahead. Tilakkhana II, meanwhile, will look to carry its momentum into the inshore events, though the Wallycento’s size may prove less advantageous in the tighter, windward-leeward courses.

Key Takeaways from La Larga 2026

• Record-Breaking Speed: Tilakkhana II finished nearly four hours ahead of the expected time, thanks to winds that exceeded forecasts.
• Dual Victory: The Wallycento became the first boat to secure both Line Honours and an IRC class win in the same edition of La Larga.
• Mini 6.50 Debut: The new class delivered a nail-biter finish, with Ginjol beating Magikarp by just three minutes after 52 hours of racing.
• Local Dominance: Real Club Náutico de Palma boats secured multiple podium finishes, including second and third in ORC 2-3.
• Conditions Split the Fleet: While larger boats thrived in the early winds, the overnight calm tested the endurance of smaller crews.

How to Follow the Rest of PalmaVela 2026

Fans can track the inshore races live via the official PalmaVela website, which will provide real-time results, GPS tracking, and post-race analysis. The 52 Super Series will also offer its own live coverage, including onboard cameras and expert commentary.

For those in Palma de Mallorca, the races are visible from the shore near the Real Club Náutico de Palma, with the best vantage points along the Paseo Marítimo. The event concludes on May 3, with the final prizegiving ceremony scheduled for that evening.