Spectacular battles mark the opening day of the 53rd Trofeo Conde de Godó OOA

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Vithas-Urbania (ORC 0), Hydra-HM Hospitales (ORC 1), Katara (ORC 2), L’Oreig (ORC 3), Wild (ORC A2), Blue (Open A) and Odysseus (Open B) emerge as the first leaders

Salida de la flota ORC 2 del 53 Trofeo Conde de Godó OOA © Torveo

Barcelona, 29/05/2026.- The 53rd Trofeo Conde de Godó OOA got underway this Friday in Barcelona waters with the first two races of the championship. The wind kept the fleet waiting during the early hours of the day, although racing was eventually possible in a light northeasterly breeze of between 6 and 7 knots. Classes ORC 0 to ORC 4-5 completed two windward-leeward races, while the ORC A2 and Open categories sailed coastal courses.

In ORC 0, the class for the largest yachts, with five boats competing, the first leader is Vithas-Urbania, owned by Tomás Gasset. A first and a second place give the team a one-point lead over Hispania of the Spanish Navy, skippered by Ricardo Álvarez-Maldonado. The TP52 made its debut with a third place followed by a victory in the second race of the day, already showing its potential. Toni Guiu’s Aproperties Blue Carbon occupies third place after posting a second and a third.

Hispania y Urbania © Torveo

In ORC 1, the much-anticipated duel between Hydra-HM Hospitales, owned by Óscar Chaves, and Kajsa III-Soler Cabot-Cornex Capital, owned by Rolf auf der Maur, certainly lived up to expectations. Both teams ended the day tied at the top of the standings on three points after recording a first and a second place. However, the provisional lead belongs to the El Balís-based team thanks to its victory in the final race. With two third-place finishes, Kiloton, owned by Joan Ollé, sits in third position.

The reigning World Champion, the Argentinean Katara, showed exactly why it is considered the favourite in ORC 2. After winning both races and leaving no opportunity for the rest of the fleet, Julián Somodi’s yacht made its intentions clear from the outset.

Duelo entre Hydra-HM Hospitales y Soler Cabot en ORC 1 © Torveo

ORC 3 also produced extremely close racing. L’Oreig, owned by Martí Gelabert from Girona, leads the standings after posting two second-place finishes. Its consistency allowed the team to finish the day as leader.

The ORC A2 and Open classes sailed coastal courses off the Barcelona coastline. In ORC A2, competitors completed a 9.8-nautical-mile course that featured an interesting battle for line honours between Wild and Bonadventure, with Wild ultimately taking victory.

Looking ahead to Saturday, racing is scheduled to begin at 12:00. The Race Committee will attempt to complete up to three races in order to advance the championship programme.