ORC Double Handed Worlds in Spain

The second annual edition of the ORC Double Handed World Championship will be held September 11-15 in Barcelona, Spain. The event is organized by RCNB, a delegation of the Royal Spanish Federation of Sailing (RFEV) under the authority of the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) and the collaboration of the Catalan Sailing Federation (FCV).

Fifty-four teams from nine countries will be divided by size and speed into three fleets to compete for three World Championship titles: Class A, Class B, and Class C. Each class will also recognize top-performing all-amateur teams in Corinthian division trophies.

The entry list has a variety of boat types from 34 to 50 feet in length, with the event starting with a long offshore race followed on September 14 with a shorter offshore race.

The race lengths will vary from 70 to 200 miles, with the specific routes determined closer to the start of each race based on weather conditions to ensure an appropriate range of length, wind angles and duration for a World Championship.

The course options will vary, with some taking participants from the coast of Barcelona to the Balearic Islands and back while other options will explore the Catalan coast.

Among the favorites is Jordi Zaragoza’s (ESP) X362 Sport LA ORANA from Club Nautic Vilanova, who won the 50th edition of the Conde de Godó Sailing Trophy and has shown exceptional performance in the 2023 Palma Vela regatta. Another Spanish favorite is Tito Moure and Tony del Rio’s Swan 45 SMERIT from Club Vela Blanes, one of the largest boats in the fleet and a regular on the podium at events like Palma Vela, SM La Reina, and the Conde de Godó Sailing Trophy.

A third favorite from Spain and a local RCNB-based entry is Iván Olivé Bermejo and Antonio Pozo Tamarit’s Beneteau Figaro 2 SHAKA who recently finished second in the Conde de Godó Trophy.

Overseas international talent is also in Barcelona now for the event and are also considered strong contenders: Jonathan McKee and Peter Isler from the USA are racing their Sunfast 3300 RED RUBY here after an active and successful 2023 season spent in the highly-competitive DH racing scene in France and the UK. McKee is a past World Champion in many classes and a veteran of America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race events.

“We’re pleased to see such a strong turnout and interest in Barcelona,” said ORC Chairman Bruno Finzi. “Double Handed sailing has been an important and growing sector of offshore racing worldwide, and at ORC we have been providing ongoing support with our rating tools to produce fair racing. We wish all teams a great regatta.”
 
• Event details: https://www.bcnorcdhworld2023.com/
• Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/199053074@N05/albums

Source: ORC