Today, at 8:48:39 in the morning on the Maxicat Victoria, the ocean navigator Alex Pella, has left, from Getxo in Bilbao, to try to break the record for ‘La Vuelta a España’. The objective 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 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 on board the Maxicat Victoria. Technical director Lalou Roucayrol, rigging technician Alejandro Cantero, systems technician Alberto Muñoz, David Pella (in replacement of Pablo Santurde), Pilar Casares y Manuel Maqueda will accompany the captain Alex Pella on this new challenge.
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 challenge, open to all types of vessels and crews without restrictions, requires the sailing route or goal below the iconic Puente Colgante de Bizkaia and the routes of timing between the Bilbao port 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.
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.
Festina, Qualitas Energy, and IDOM join the global Desafío Victoria
The watch brand Festina has been the main sponsor and official timekeeper of the Desafío Victoria since its beginning. Additionally, Qualitas Energy and IDOM are also collaborating in this challenge.