ORC Double-Handed European Championship 2026 in Altea, Spain - Preview
by Offshore Racing Congress 2 Feb 20:40 GMT
March 1-7, 2026
200 Millas A2 Regatta 2025 © Julia Matos Astorgano
With just one month to go, the countdown is on for the ORC Double-Handed European Championship 2026, held in conjunction with the 40th anniversary edition of the 200 Millas A2.
Organised by Altea Sailing Club (Club Náutico Altea - CN Altea) in collaboration with the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC), the event will take place from March 1-7, and has already made headlines by breaking its all-time registration record-more than 70 boats entered two months ahead of the start.
This historic edition of the 200 Millas a2 marks a turning point for the regatta, transforming it from a national offshore challenge into the continental capital of double-handed sailing. As the toughest winter regatta in the Mediterranean, it continues to draw the best offshore talent from Spain and beyond.
Elite teams and sailors confirmed
This year's edition of the 200 Miles A2 Regatta will feature an outstanding lineup of highly experienced sailors, with several participants considered among the top professionals in offshore racing.
Among the most notable names is Kiko Moret, the most successful sailor in the history of the event, holding the record with five victories in the 200 Miles A2.
Also competing is Iñaki Castañer, a renowned sailing professional with an exceptional career that includes ten world championship titles and twelve Atlantic crossings. He was trained aboard vessels of the Spanish Navy, where he developed his offshore expertise.
Another key figure is Guillermo Altadill, one of the most respected names in international sailing. Altadill has competed in ten round-the-world races (Whitbread Round the World and Volvo Ocean Race), crossed the Atlantic nineteen times, and has served as a coach in five Olympic Games.
The list of favourites also includes Toni Puch, winner of both the Copa del Rey and the Rolex Regatta, as well as runner-up in the Maxi World and European Championships.
Special attention will also be on two crews with a long and successful history in the 200 Miles A2. Thierry Lallemand and Juan Lallemand, two-time winners of the regatta, also achieved third place at the ORC Double-Handed World Championship. Similarly, José Ballester and Andrés Manresa, also two-time winners, return once again as strong contenders for victory.
Jesús de Miguel will take part with his yacht O' Mary Lou, with which he won the ORC Double-Handed World Championship in Barcelona.
The event will also welcome the 2025 Class A ORC Double-Handed World Champions from Monfalcone - Martin Buck & Yves de Block.
ORC Hall of Fame: DH European Champions | DH World Champions
The classic 200-mile course remains unchanged: a challenging route from Altea to Ibiza and back, testing endurance, tactics, and teamwork in a demanding double-handed format.
"Hosting the ORC Double-Handed Europeans is a testament to the prestige this event has earned over four decades," said Francisco Fresneda Segura, President of CN Altea.
"We are excited to see the continued strong momentum around the ORC Double-Handed European Championship in Altea. Having served as ORC representative at last year's ORC Double-Handed Europeans in Helsinki, it is particularly rewarding to see how the interest and level of competition keep growing.
The record number of entries and the international calibre of the fleet underline the development of double-handed racing as a demanding and attractive discipline. It requires endurance, seamanship, and smart decision-making - and the 200 Millas A2 once again provides the perfect stage.
I very much look forward to returning as ORC representative for this championship and to an exceptional event hosted by Club Náutico de Altea." - Thomas Nilsson, ORC Management Committee Member and ORC Representative for the 2026 ORC Double-Handed European Championship.
New sponsor on board
One Sails, a leading international sailmaker, joins the 2026 edition as Silver Sponsor. Known for their high-performance 4T FORTE™ technology, One Sails brings a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and custom solutions for performance and cruising. Their support aligns perfectly with the regatta's values of excellence and continuous evolution.
More than racing
The 2026 event aims to go beyond the racecourse. A public program of cultural and educational activities will accompany the regatta, celebrating maritime heritage with talks, film screenings, and themed events throughout February.
To ensure all teams are well prepared for the regatta, the technical presentation will be held online via Google Meet on Tuesday, 10 February at 18:00 CET. This session, led by ORC Chief Measurer Zoran Grubiša, will explain the boat pre-inspection procedure and required safety items for the regatta and answer any questions. Join here
With the combined draw of the ORC Double-Handed European title, its 40th anniversary milestone, and a record-breaking entry list, the 200 Millas A2 firmly consolidates its reputation as the premier winter offshore race in the Mediterranean. Club Náutico de Altea stands ready to deliver a top-level regatta, honouring its legacy while embracing the future of offshore sailing.
The regatta is sponsored by the battery company YUASA, the sailmaker ONE SAILS, the watch brand NECKMARINE, the nautical store Marina Alta, and the Comunitat de l'Esport.
ORC Partners are Vennvind, TracTrac, PredictWind, Garmin, and Leica Geosystems.
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