Alex Pella’s Desafío Victoria project is already preparing for the next challenge of trying to break the record for the ‘Ruta del Descubrimiento’ with the Maxicat Victoria. This attempt at the record will be framed inside the great ‘Atlantic Loop’ between Europe and America, with a round trip without stopping to the other side of the Atlantic. The objectives on the outgoing trip are to try to break the record for the ‘Ruta del Descubrimiento’ which is currently held by ‘Mapfre’ at 11 days, 7 hours, and 40 seconds, and on the way back to look out for harder sea and wind conditions and complete this loop of between 20 and 25 days of ocean navigation with complete self-sufficiency and autonomy. “This is a difficult and important challenge for us as it is another step in our preparation for ‘La Vuelta al Mundo’ in 2025,” notes Alex Pella.
The Maxicat Victoria will be put in stand-by, ready to set sail at the start of November from Huelva and awaiting the best possible conditions. “We should complete the first stretch of the record between Huelva and La Gomera in about 48 hours, and the second stretch, between La Gomera and San Salvador (The Bahamas) in 9 days, although we will go somewhat more penalized than our companions ‘Mapfre’ since we do not stop on the other side of the Atlantic. This will make the boat loaded with more provisions, spare parts, etc. This ‘Atlantic Loop’ fits perfectly with our preparation for the ‘Trofeo Oceánico el Cano’ since this exercise demands lots from us in sport, in the record distance, and in the self-sufficiency which is as energetic as it is as technical” points out Alex Pella.
The crew of the Maxicat Victoria will be completed by Lalou Roucayrol, Alejandro Cantero, Alberto Muñoz, Pablo Santurde, Pilar Casares and Manuel Maqueda. Furthermore, for the first time in this challenge, the Desafío Victoria project will incorporate the tracking of the route in real time via streaming, incorporating the Mapfre map with the official free gaming app of the biggest sailing races, Virtual Regatta. “With all of this, what we intend is that our motto is: “a round-the-world trip to turn the world around”, with the message of care for and preservation of the environment to reach more people.”
Ruta del Descubrimiento
This route marked the first of Cristobal Colón four voyages. The expedition set sail from Palos de la Frontera, in Huelva, on August 3, 1492, with three ships: Santa María, Pinta, and Niña. They sighted land on the island of San Salvador on October 12, 1492. Thus began one of the world’s greatest milestones: the discovery of a new continent.”
Desafío Victoria
Alex Pella and his crew have already achieved two records: the ‘Vuelta a Menorca’ record, set in April with a time of 5 hours, 4 minutes, and 57 seconds, and the ‘Vuelta a España’ record in July, with a time of 4 days, 17 hours, 14 minutes, and 46 seconds.”
Historically, Spain has been the biggest maritime power and the great explorer of the blue planet. 500 years ago, the Spanish expedition started by the Magallanes and finished by Elcano, changed the world. Inspired by this historical adventure, the Desafío Victoria was born – a massive project in which a legendary boat has been recovered to relive and enjoy the greatest oceanic challenge of all time: to do ‘La Vuelta al Mundo’ towards the west. The Maxicat Victoria is a legendary multihull vessel constructed in France with a length of 33.5 metres, a beam of 17.5 metres, and a mast height of 42.6 metres.
It will be a sporty, circular, and global challenge. To circumnavigate the planet towards the west is not only a human and sporting challenge, but also a race against the clock to change our mentality and the future of the planet. Therefore, this boat is being reused: the energies that drive it are renewable; the food on board is sustainable; the water purified; and the non-negotiable promise of minimizing the carbon footprint and waste generated throughout the project as much as possible. This adventure is set to face the most ambitious challenge: to lead an historical, unique, and pioneering regatta that advocates for the principles of decarbonisation, circular and regenerative economy, educating and inspiring millions of people of any age and from any part of the world.