The 22nd edition of the Sandberg PalmaVela concluded its offshore challenge, La Larga, in dramatic fashion early Monday morning, with France’s Tilakkhana II claiming line honors and IRC class victory in what organizers called “the most competitive edition in history.” Skippered by Pascale Decaux, the crew completed the 230-mile course in 29 hours, 52 minutes, and 31 seconds — a time that withstood both real-time and corrected-time calculations to secure the top spot.

The Race That Tested Every Crew

Competitors faced a rollercoaster of conditions that defined this year’s La Larga. The race began under “very favorable winds,” according to official race reports, allowing boats to make rapid progress through the Mediterranean. But as the fleet approached the final leg toward Palma Bay, the breeze died significantly, forcing crews to adapt to near-calm seas in the pre-dawn hours of Monday.

“It was a race of two halves,” said a spokesperson for the organizing Real Club Náutico de Palma. “The first 18 hours were fast and furious, but the last 10 required patience, strategy, and a bit of luck with the shifting winds. That’s what made this edition so special — and so challenging.”

IRC Class: Tilakkhana II Leaves Rivals in Its Wake

Decaux’s Tilakkhana II was the first boat to cross the finish line in Palma Bay at approximately 2:30 a.m. Local time (00:30 UTC), but the real test came with the application of the IRC rating system, which adjusts times based on each boat’s design and performance potential. Despite the handicap, Tilakkhana II maintained its lead, finishing ahead of Italy’s Luce Guida (Jean-Michel Caye) and Liberty (Carlo Pirzio) on corrected time.

The victory marks a significant achievement for Decaux, a veteran offshore sailor who has competed in multiple editions of the Rolex Middle Sea Race and Fastnet Race. “This win is a testament to the entire crew’s preparation and resilience,” Decaux said in a post-race interview. “We knew the conditions would change, and we were ready to adapt. When the wind dropped, we focused on sail trim and weight distribution — every little detail mattered.”

ORC Classes: Close Finishes and Surprises

While Tilakkhana II dominated the IRC class, the ORC divisions delivered some of the race’s most dramatic finishes.

ORC 0: Intrigue Edges Out Faster Rivals

Spain’s Intrigue, a Swan 56 skippered by Joaquín Verona, claimed overall victory in ORC 0 after time compensation. Despite finishing the 230-mile course three hours behind the faster TP52 Aproperties Blue Carbon (Toni Guiu), Intrigue’s corrected time placed it at the top of the standings. Germany’s Spirit 2 (August Kiermaier) rounded out the podium.

“It was a tactical race,” Verona said. “We knew Aproperties Blue Carbon was faster in straight-line speed, so we focused on finding the best wind angles and staying ahead in the transitions. When the breeze died, we were in the right place at the right time.”

ORC 1: Caro’s Consistency Pays Off

In ORC 1, Germany’s Caro (Sven Heyden) secured victory after leading the fleet for much of the race. The crew’s ability to maintain speed in both high and low-wind conditions proved decisive. Expression of London (Rob Conn) and Vertigo (Robert in den Haak) finished second and third, respectively.

ORC 2-3: Kine Crosses First, Holds On

The ORC 2-3 class saw Kine (Sean McCarter) cross the finish line first, but the real competition was in the corrected-time standings. McCarter’s crew held on to win, with Gudrun VIII (Diego Colón) and Histolab (José Juan Torres) completing the podium.

ORC A2: A Photo-Finish for the Ages

The closest finish of the race came in ORC A2, where Hydra-HM Hospitales (Óscar Chaves) edged out Germany’s Mia Gioia (Martin Buck) by just 16 minutes in corrected time. Spain’s Modul (Félix Comas) took third place. “We could observe Mia Gioia behind us for the entire last leg,” Chaves said. “Every decision — from sail changes to weight distribution — was made with them in mind. To win by such a narrow margin is incredibly satisfying.”

Mini 6.50: Ginjol Makes History in Debut Class

This year’s La Larga marked the debut of the Mini 6.50 class, a fleet of small but highly competitive boats that attracted a mix of experienced sailors and rising stars. Spain’s Ginjol, skippered by Felip Moll, claimed the inaugural victory, finishing ahead of Magikarp (Tomás Ruiz) and Loeix (Juan Olabarria).

“The Mini 6.50 class is all about pushing limits,” Moll said. “These boats are small, but they’re fast and responsive. To win in our first year at La Larga is a dream come true for the team.”

What’s Next for Sandberg PalmaVela

With La Larga now complete, the focus shifts to the inshore races of the Sandberg PalmaVela, which will take place over the coming days. Organizers have confirmed that the next series of races will begin on Wednesday, April 29, with a coastal course around the Bay of Palma. The inshore events will feature shorter, more technical races, offering a different challenge for the sailors who excelled in the offshore leg.

“La Larga is always the highlight of the regatta, but the inshore races are where the real tactical battles happen,” said a spokesperson for the Real Club Náutico de Palma. “We expect to see some of the same names at the top of the leaderboard, but the format will favor those who can read the local conditions and make quick decisions.”

Key Takeaways from La Larga 2026

• Tilakkhana II’s Dominance: Pascale Decaux’s crew won both line honors and the IRC class, completing the 230-mile course in 29:52:31 — a time that held up under corrected-time calculations.
• ORC 0’s Tactical Masterclass: Intrigue’s victory in ORC 0 was a testament to strategic sailing, as the Swan 56 outmaneuvered faster boats like Aproperties Blue Carbon.
• ORC A2’s Photo-Finish: Hydra-HM Hospitales won by just 16 minutes in corrected time, the closest margin of the race.
• Mini 6.50’s Debut: Ginjol claimed victory in the class’s first appearance at La Larga, setting a high bar for future editions.
• Conditions Played a Decisive Role: Favorable winds early in the race gave way to near-calm seas, forcing crews to adapt their strategies on the fly.
• Next Up: The inshore races begin on April 29, offering a latest challenge for the sailors who excelled in the offshore leg.

How to Follow the Rest of Sandberg PalmaVela

Fans can follow the action through the following official channels:

• Official Website: www.palmavela.com (live tracking, results, and race updates)
• Social Media: Real Club Náutico de Palma on Instagram and X (Twitter)
• Live Tracking: The official race tracker will be available on the PalmaVela website, allowing fans to monitor the progress of their favorite boats in real time.