Alex Pella’s Maxicat Victoria intends to break the record for ‘La Vuelta a España’. He will do so after his few days of preparation at the Real Club Marítimo of the Abra-Real Sporting Club. The objective of the ocean navigator and his crew is to establish the ultimate record for the lap of the Iberian Peninsula, linking the cities of Bilbao and Barcelona, and it must be done entirely without assistance and without stopping. The trip is expected to be between July 8 and 14.
Alex Pella assures that, “this trip of 1500 nautical miles, we must point out the value of it. It is spectacular to sail ‘La Vuelta a España’. The route brings together the harshness of the Cantabrian sea, the mythical passage of Finisterre, the coast of Portugal, the complicated passage of the Gibraltar strait, and the always unpredictable Mediterranean Sea. The sailing routes and the targets in the ports of Bilbao and Barcelona are really spectacular.” The last record for ‘La Vuelta a España’ was established by the López-Doriga brothers in 2006, on board the ‘Arte y Naturaleza’ sailboat, with a time of 12 days and 13 hours – a time that Alex Pella aspires to reduce in the next days aboard the Maxicat Victoria. Technical director Lalou Roucayrol, rigging technician Alejandro Cantero, systems technician Alberto Muñoz, David Pella (in replacement of Pablo Santurde), Pilar Casares, and Manuel Maqueda will accompany the captain Alex Pella on this new challenge.
The challenge, open to all types of vessels and crews without restrictions, stipulates using the starting line below the iconic Puente Colgante de Bizkaia and the timing lines between between the Port of Bilbao wind park and the W “Vela” hotel of Barcelona, where the involved clubs will take the official departure and arrival times of each challenging vessel. The endeavor relies on the collaboration of the Real Club Marítimo of the Abra-Real Sporting Club and the Real Club Náutico of Barcelona
“The fact that our waters and club are the departure point of the challenge for such a prestigious navigator like Alex Pella on the Maxicat Victoria is again very important and a luxury. We wish and predict success in his challenges, equally in this circumnavigation of the peninsula as in his preparation for the ultimate record for The Around-the-World Trip. Alex Pella, as he has already told us in a conference a few months ago, is a navigator who is passionate about our coast and I hope that he enjoys it again. It is formidable to set this new Trofeo Oceánico (Oceanic Trophy) in motion together with Alex Pella and with the Real Club Náutico of Barcelona,” considers Manu Sendagorta, presidente del Real Club Marítimo del Abra-Real Sporting Club.
On their behalf, president of the RCNB, Jordi Puig, has said that “for a few months, we have had the honor of receiving Alex Pella in the facilities of the Real Club Náutico of Barcelona, where we introduced him to his new challenge aboard the Maxicat Victoria. From the start, we have shared enthusiasm and we feel inspired by his passion. For the RCNB, it is a pride to count the world-class navigator Alex Pella as an honorary member of the club. It excites us to be part of his challenge and we wait with great excitement to receive him together with his crew at the finish line in Barcelona. Furthermore, it honours us that Trofeo Oceánico remains at the Real Club Náutico of Barcelona until the arrival of the next challenger. We wish you the greatest success in this new adventure and here, at home, we will be waiting for you with open arms.”
Desafío Victoria – Maxicat Victoria
After getting the record for ‘La Vuelta a Menorca’ breaking it in April with a record of 5 hours, 4 minutes, and 57 seconds, this is the new challenge that Alex Pella and his crew are going to try to break, before starting The Around-the-World Trip sailing towards the west.
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 The Around-the-World Trip 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, and the energies that drive it are renewable; the food aboard is sustainable; the water purified; and he has his 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 a historical, unique, and pioneering regatta that advocates for the principles of decarbonisation, circular and regenerative economy, and educating and inspiring millions of people of any age and from any part of the world.