Small and medium-sized boats aim for the ORC Europeans at Sandberg PalmaVela
by Sandberg PalmaVela 22 Apr 12:05 BST
30 April - 4 May 2025
ORC 3 fleet © Nico Martínez
Beyond the large yachts of the Maxi, ORC 0, ORC 1 and Spirit of Tradition fleets, the Sandberg PalmaVela is also a key event for medium and small-sized boats.
In ORC alone—with eyes set on the upcoming European Championship, to be held during the Copa del Rey MAPFRE—43 boats have registered to compete across three classes: ORC 2, ORC 3, and ORC 4/5. They will be joined by seven entries in the 6 Metre class and 12 ORC Sportboat teams.
Looking ahead to the Europeans
The ORC fleet's objective is not only to compete in this 21st edition, but also to optimize their boats ahead of summer, when the European title will be at stake.
In ORC 2, the number of entries has doubled compared to the 2024 edition. With 16 boats on the starting line and two of last year's podium teams returning to defend their titles—KIM Cantabria Labs (First 40.7) helmed by Yanm Lythgoe and Viking IX (Dehler 38) skippered by Eric Tejedor—the class promises to be highly competitive. Other strong contenders include Nicolás Pesich's Sinergia 40 L'Immens, Ignacio Ballester's MSC (First 40.7), Juan José Torres' Histolab (First 40.7), and Marco Corno's Mágica (X-41).
In ORC 3, with 14 registered boats, is also expected to be a highly competitive class, with many contenders for the podium. Among them there is Wanderlust (Italia 9.98), aiming to improve its third place in 2024. Other strong rivals include's Gustavo Gastaldi Temtac (Farr 30), Pohlmann Gabriele's Meerblick (Cape 31) and Fala Pouco (Dufour 40).
The ORC 4/5 class has also grown, with a 30% increase in entries, and the full 2024 podium which is returning to defend their positions. These include María Campins' Tres Mares (First 30.5), Xisco Pou's Merengue V (Nautatech 32), and Scott Beattie's Just The Job (J97 E).
Other fleets will also be competing outside of ORC, including the 6 Metre Open class with seven registered yachts. Among them Finnish boat Oiva helmed by Henrik Anderson, current European champion. The Sportboat class will feature fleets of J/80s and Blue Sail 24s. In this group, Balearia by María Bover—this time with a Viper—aims to defend the title won in 2024 in the J/70 class.
The Sandberg PalmaVela multiclass regatta will begin on Thursday, May 1st, hosting 110 boats. This follows the offshore race La Larga, which starts this Saturday, April 26th, with 50 teams on the starting line. In total, 160 entries will take part across the two events of the first major regatta of the European season.