Tracker to follow the real-time route of the Maxicat Victoria. Festina, official timekeeper
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"AROUND THE WORLD TO TURN THE WORLD AROUND"
PROJECT
Historically, Spain has been the greatest maritime power and explorer of the blue planet. And, although many may not know it, the Spanish expedition initiated by Magellan and completed by Elcano 500 years ago changed the world.
Having been inspired by the greatest adventure in history, the DESAFÍO VICTORIA was born – a monumental project in which we recover a legendary ship to take on and relive the greatest oceanic challenge of all time: sailing around the world to the west.
CHALLENGES
Sporting challenge
A non-stop planetary time trial to break the absolute circumnavigation record to the west against winds and currents, without stops or assistance, and using only the energies of nature. We are facing the greatest feat imaginable and a unique test of endurance.
Circular challenge
Circumnavigating the planet to the west is not only a human and sporting challenge, but also a race against time to change our mindset and the future of the planet. That is why our ship is reused: the energy that powers it is renewable; the food on board is sustainable, the water is purified, and our commitment to minimizing our carbon footprint and the waste generated throughout the project is non-negotiable.
We face this adventure to take on the most ambitious challenge: to lead a historic, unique, and pioneering ocean race that advocates for the principles of decarbonisation, circular economy, and regenerative economy, educating and inspiring millions of people of all ages and from all over the world.
GLOBAL challenge
500 years after the world was first connected through the oceans, we embark on this circular sporting adventure which promises to bring us together once again in the face of the great challenges of our time.
DESAFÍO VICTORIA promotes the meeting of people, organisations, companies, and institutions to fight for the regeneration of the oceans.
CREW
Crew on board
We have the talent and commitment of one of the best ocean sailors in the world, along with a multidisciplinary international crew that combines experience and youth.
Alex Pella
SKIPPER
The best Spanish ocean sailor of this century. In his more than 20 years as a professional, he has accumulated over 400,000 nautical miles, sailed on all types of vessels; completed fifty Atlantic crossings; twenty-five equator crossings, having crossed it in each of the oceans; three circumnavigations in competition; and numerous victories/records, including the Julio Verne Trophy in 40d. 23h. 30m. and 30s.
LalouRoucayrol
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Alex Pella’s right-hand man and French legend of ocean sailing. He has 40 years of experience and specialises in multihull vessels. Together with Alex, he won the Transat Jacques Vabre.
Alejandro Cantero
RIGGING TECHNICIAN
Canarian sailor and great promise of ocean sailing. He has participated in several European and World Championships, and is a four-time champion in the Spanish Cup in the 29er category (light sailing).
AlbertoMuñoz
SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN
Alicante-based sailor, recently graduated in Naval and Marine Engineering from Southampton University.
PabloSanturde
SAILOR
Sailor from Santander, graduated in Nautical and Maritime Transport. He is passionate about ocean sailing and a great racer. Additionally, he has participated in the construction of racing boats. He has an impressive track record, both nationally and internationally, and is a leading figure in the sector.
PilarCasares
SAILOR
Graduated in Chemistry, offshore skipper, and senior technician in naval mechanics, with a postgraduate course in boat design. Since 2009, she has been the director of her company Bigboy Náutica, located in Mallorca, Puerto Pollensa. As a sailor, she has participated in major projects such as “Estrella Galicia”, Admiral’s Cup, Commodores Cup, Middle Sea Race, Rimini Corfu Rimini, and 200 Miglie of Lignano.
She has also led female teams such as “Aguas de Mondariz”, “Maltesers”, and the female match race circuit. In 2021, she was the project director for the Reto Pelayo Vida 2021 (Vigo-Iceland crossing, Arctic Circle).
ManuelMaqueda
OUTREACH
Professor, speaker, and international innovator focused on restoring the balance of living systems and reversing climate change through the regeneration of the biosphere, with a particular passion for marine ecosystems. Sailing instructor, Yacht Skipper, and former helmsman of the Juan Sebastián de Elcano Training Ship.
Crew on land
Desafío Victoria has the invaluable help and commitment of exceptional collaborators. They help us build this project on undeniable pillars and values.
ElenaCeballos
Marie Curie postdoctoral researcher at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the University of Seville. She holds a degree in Physics (2012) and a PhD in Physical Sciences and Technologies from the University of Seville (2019), dedicated to marine science and oceanography. Her research focuses on the role of the ocean in climate change, particularly in the estimation of carbon dioxide that the ocean captures from the atmosphere and stores in its bed – a process that influences climate projections
She has published more than ten scientific articles and participated in over forty international conferences, and is active in scientific outreach, having received several awards for her work.
CristinaRomera
Oceanographer at the Institute of Marine Sciences-CSIC in Barcelona and author of the book “AntropOcéano”. She holds a degree in Chemistry and completed her PhD at the Institute of Marine Sciences-CSIC in Barcelona. She worked for 5 years as a postdoc in the USA and Austria.
Her research focuses on the ocean carbon cycle. Specifically, on the biogeochemistry of dissolved organic matter. She also studies the impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems and the carbon cycle, and how bacteria could help degrade them.
She has received several awards, such as the Raymond L. Lindeman Award 2020 and the International Rising Talents 2020, from L’Oreal-UNESCO.
GuillermoOrtuño
A marine biologist specialising in the conservation of migratory species and the sustainable management of fisheries. He co-leads the High Seas specialist group for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). He obtained his PhD in 2020 from Duke University. His research focuses on the governance of international waters, participating in the UN BBNJ Treaty negotiations.
He has published more than 30 articles, book chapters, and reports on marine conservation, ecological connectivity, and bycatch. In addition, he co-founded the Early Career Ocean Professionals programme of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
JuanMartín
Environmental consultant and R&D and Environmental coordinator at the Aponiente restaurant (three Michelin stars and the most sustainable restaurant in the world 2022). Since 2010, he has worked with chef Ángel León in the search for new marine food sources from a perspective of sustainability and respect for nature. He presides over Salarte, a conservation organisation that has been working since 2012 on the recovery and management of coastal wetlands, marshes, and artisanal salt pans. He is also an ambassador for Leica Sports Optics.
National Gastronomy Award for Best Research and Gastronomic Innovation 2021, Andalucía Environmental Award 2015, and Andalucía Flag 2017, among others.
PROGRAM
True to the original adventure, the route has its origin and destination in Andalucía. Aiming to become an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, the route will include five timed sections:
Horns
From Sanlúcar to Cape Horn. The most perilous part of the route.
Torres
Crossing the Pacific Ocean to the Torres Strait.
Buena Esperanza
Crossing the Indian Ocean to the Cape of Buena Esperanza.
Azores
Sailing up the Atlantic to the Island of Flores in Azores.
Spain
Returning to the same starting point in Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
Alex Pella, who already holds the record for the circumnavigation to the East (Julio Verne Trophy), will be the first challenger of the Elcano Ocean Trophy. Prior to this, to prepare, he will take on these 3 challenges:
MAXICAT
The Maxicat Victoria is a legendary oceanic multihull built in France between 1999 and 2000, a two-time winner of the round-the-world race, and a true legend recovered to promote circular economy.
SPECTACULAR, VERY FAST, and VERSATILE:
• A great racing prototype.
• A practical case of circular economy in itself.
• A technological innovation laboratory.
• An oceanographic research platform.
• A training ship for educational projects: sailing, leadership, circular economy, etc.
• A unique platform for hospitality and experience marketing activities.
• A mobile unit for generating multimedia content.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Design: Gilles Olier
Length: 33.5 m.
Beam: 17.5 m.
Mast height: 42.6 m.
Displacement: 22 tons
Max speed: 44 knots
Sail area: Upwind: 548 m² Downwind: 990 m²
TROPHY
On September 6, 2022, coinciding with the exact date of the 500th anniversary of the first round-the-world voyage, we established the Elcano Ocean Trophy – a major international award that recognises the challenge of CO2 Neutral sailing circumnavigation, following the trail of Magellan and Elcano.
Due to its nature and future projection, it is the best legacy of the 500th anniversary of the first round-the-world voyage, as well as an important recognition that positions itself globally as:
• The trophy with the most history, established in 1522.
• The greatest sporting challenge, in distance and competition time.
• The cleanest sporting challenge, in requiring zero-emissions and zero-waste circumnavigation.
• An inclusive trophy open to all boats and crews around the world.
PARTNERS
A project like this also needs allies, we are talking about sponsors and collaborators who share our values; who want to provide financial support for Spain to lead the race towards the regeneration of the blue planet; and who are willing to embark on this unique adventure, to change the world 500 years later.
Thanks to those who have already joined the MaxiCat Victoria team, and to all of you who want to embark on this project, we are waiting for you!
Official suppliers:
Collaborators:
Idom will perform the analysis of the ship’s carbon footprint.
