The 53rd Trofeo Conde de Godó OOA gets underway with the ORC fleet

From Friday to Sunday, the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona will host the historic offshore regatta with more than sixty boats competing

Los equipos en su jornada de entrenamiento © Torveo

Barcelona, 28/05/2026.- Barcelona is ready to host one of the most renewed and innovative editions in the history of the Trofeo de Vela Conde de Godó OOA. In 2026, the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona introduces a major format change aimed at enhancing the sporting appeal of the historic regatta and adapting to the growth currently experienced by offshore, one-design and distance racing in the Mediterranean.

For the first time, the 53rd edition of the historic Barcelona trophy is structured into three separate competition weekends. The opening weekend featured the J70 class as the main attraction, while last weekend hosted the BCN Race Musto Offshore, the offshore race of the championship, starting and finishing in Barcelona with a medium-distance course along the Catalan coastline.

The main fleet will take centre stage from Friday to Sunday with the ORC regatta, the core event of the Trofeo Conde de Godó OOA, which will conclude with the prize-giving ceremony next Sunday. More than sixty yachts will compete in Barcelona waters in an edition that once again gathers many of the best boats in the Mediterranean together with a strong international presence, including entries from Germany, Argentina, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Uruguay, as well as crews from across Spain.

The fleet will be divided into seven categories: ORC 0, ORC 1, ORC 2, ORC 3, ORC 4-5, ORC A2 and Open.

La acción ya se respira en los pantalanes del RCNB © Torveo

One of the major highlights will be the official debut of the new Hispania, the TP52 recently incorporated by the Comisión Naval de Regatas, beginning a new chapter in Spanish sailing. The presence of the new boat has generated huge expectation within the fleet due to the historical significance of the project. The Spanish Navy yacht, skippered by Captain Ricardo Álvarez-Maldonado, will make its debut in Barcelona waters.

The event will feature an exceptionally competitive fleet spread across several categories. In ORC 0, alongside Hispania, notable entries include the defending champion Aproperties-Blue Carbon of Toni Guiu, the Vithas-Urbania of Tomás Gasset, the Tenaz of Pablo Garriga and the Enigma of Luis Tort.

Kajsa III Soler Cabot-Cornex Capital de Rolf auf der Maur © Torveo

In ORC 1, an exciting duel is expected between the two DK46 yachts: Kajsa III Soler Cabot-Cornex Capital owned by Rolf auf der Maur and skippered by Luis Martínez Doreste — current champion of both the Trofeo Conde de Godó and the Copa del Rey Mapfre with Estrella Damm — and Hydra-HM Hospitales of Óscar Chaves, skippered by Fernando León. Last year both teams finished separated by just one point.

In ORC 2, special attention goes to the recent ORC World Champion from Sorrento (Italy), the Argentinean Katara of Julián Sodomi, who narrowly missed the podium at last year’s Godó after finishing fourth. They will face strong competition from Barcelona’s Es Tes Unno… of Francisco Soldevila, runner-up in 2025, and L’Immens, sailed by Uruguayans Nicolás González and Nicolás Pesich. Another strong contender will be the Murcian Ebury Sailing Team of Javier Sabiote, skippered by Julio Bernardeau. MSC of Ignacio Ballester, with Ana Lillo at the helm, will also compete.

In ORC 3, attention will focus on the young Hydra Youth team skippered by Ramon Aixemeno, together with regular competitors such as Girona’s L’Oreig of Martí Gelabert and the Dutch Yellow Rose of Marten Jan Ringers. The arrival of the Cádiz-based Sálvora of Pedro Agudo also stands out.

In ORC 4-5, the 2025 runner-up El Travieso of Ángel Blázquez will compete, while the Open class will feature a large part of the local fleet. This year also sees the addition of the ORC A2 category, where Ia Orana of Jordi Zaragoza, Bonadventure of Lluís Fargas and Món Cañellas, and Comet@ of Lluís Blanchart start among the favourites for victory.

Racing will begin this Friday at 14:30, while Saturday and Sunday racing is scheduled to start at 12:00, with a maximum of seven races programmed per category.

The 53rd Trofeo de Vela Conde de Godó OOA is organized by the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona under delegation from the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation and with the collaboration of the Catalan Sailing Federation. The event is supported by title sponsors Oxford Oil Additives and Musto, together with La Vanguardia, Barcelona City Council and the Government of Catalonia. Collaborators include MAPFRE, De Antonio Yachts, Barcelona Capital Nàutica, Bgreenly, Veri, Royal Bliss, Estrella Damm, ISDIN and Gramona.