Proven champions, family campaigns and modern performance start the 2026 ORC Double-Handed Europeans
by Offshore Racing Congress 3 Mar 07:02 GMT
1-7 March 2026
ORC Class Flags flying on the Race.Committee boat in CN Altea © ORC
A fleet of 50 double-handed yachts from seven nations has assembled on the Mediterranean shore for the 4th edition of the ORC Double-Handed European Championship 2026, staged in conjunction with the historic 40th anniversary edition of the 200 Millas A2 offshore race.
Organized by Altea Sailing Club (Club Náutico Altea – CN Altea) in collaboration with the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC), the regatta runs from March 1-7 and brings together some of the most accomplished sailors and yachts in international offshore racing.
Elite Skippers Bring World-Class Credentials
The fleet includes an impressive concentration of internationally accomplished sailors whose résumés span world championships, transoceanic campaigns and grand-prix circuits.
Among Spain's most distinguished competitors is Iñaki Castañer (CASTAÑER YACHTS - DK 46), whose record includes 10 world championship titles across different classes, 12 Atlantic crossings, 10 national titles and more than 30 national sailing trophies. His extensive offshore and one-design experience positions him among the most decorated sailors in this year's fleet.
Dutch skipper Peter de Ridder (CHECKMATE - Bashford 41) brings extensive experience at both national and international levels in IMS and ORC competition. He has represented the Netherlands at the Commodores' Cup and, notably, secured the silver medal in Class B at the 2014 ORC World Championship in full-crew aboard his Swan 45.
The Mediterranean scene is also strongly represented by Kiko Moret (HYBRID - First 30), the most successful sailor in the history of the 200 Millas A2, with five overall victories.
Reigning world-level experience comes from Germany's Martin Buck aboard MIA GIOIA (Neo 430 Roma), sailing with Yves de Block. The pair arrive in Altea as the defending ORC Double-Handed World Champions in Class A, having secured their title in Monfalcone in 2025. While last year's championship was shaped by predominantly light conditions, Buck anticipates a markedly different challenge in Spain.
"In Monfalcone, the forecast was for light winds, and in the end it did turn out to be mostly light conditions," Buck reflected. "Here, it looks different. We have to be prepared for really strong wind conditions. It's quite a different scenario, and we're looking forward to it. And yes, we are fighting for the title."
Veteran world champion Jesús de Miguel will compete aboard the X-332 O'MARY LOU with Jose Gutierrez, the yacht with which Jesús secured the ORC Double-Handed World Championship title in Barcelona with Unai Cilleruelo, bringing proven synergy and tactical acumen to Class C competition.
Complementing these seasoned campaigners are José Ballester and Andrés Manresa (FALAPOUCO - Dufour 40 DK), two-time 200 Millas A2 winners who bring formidable local knowledge and consistency to the competition.
Together, these skippers elevate the competitive ceiling of the 2026 European Championship.
A Championship with a Strong Family Pulse and Mixed Crews
Beyond world champions and grand-prix veterans, the fleet also carries a distinctly human and generational character.
Thomas and Anton Scherer (STARGAZER - Neo 400 Carbon) represent a father-son partnership from Germany. Sailing one of the most modern carbon-performance designs in the fleet, the Scherers combine technical preparation with family synergy - a combination that often proves powerful in double-handed racing.
Spain's José Luis and Carlos Frances (M 10 - Swan 45 OD) compete as brothers, bringing a strong one-design pedigree and Mediterranean experience to Class A aboard the proven Swan 45 design.
Another brother pairing, Juan and Thierry Lallemand (GUAGUANCO IV - Sun Fast 3300), return to Altea with impressive credentials: two-time winners of the 200 Millas A2 and recent podium finishers at the ORC Double-Handed World Championship (B Class Bronze from the 2023 Worlds in Barcelona). The Sun Fast 3300, purpose-built for shorthanded offshore racing, fits their experience profile perfectly.
These family teams emphasise one of the key aspects of double-handed offshore competition: trust, instinct, and communication often matter just as much as boat speed.
Adding an important dimension to the championship is the presence of mixed crews in the fleet. On MEVILLA-JUMBUCK (J-109), Olaf Kunigk teams up with Eva Veracruz, bringing a balanced international partnership to the starting line. They are joined by the Spanish duo Berta Campos Blanco and Nacho Campos Manero aboard TANIT IV - MEDILEVEL (Grand Soleil 37 BC), further highlighting the diversity and inclusive character of this year's championship.
A Blend of Designs and Strategic Depth
From the Swan 75 and Grand Soleil 46S to Neo performance yachts, DK 46 racers, Italia 11.98 cruiser-racers, and the purpose-built Sun Fast 3300, the 2026 fleet demonstrates the full spectrum of ORC-optimised offshore platforms.
Lightweight carbon racers will seek advantage in transitional breeze and acceleration phases, while Swan, Grand Soleil and Bashford designs will rely on offshore stability and sustained pressure efficiency.
Particularly compelling is the presence of the XR 41, the new X-Yachts performance design that secured the 2025 ORC World Championship title in Class B in Tallinn, placing both first and second overall in a highly competitive fleet. Now stepping into the double-handed format and competing in Class A, the XR 41 campaign represents the natural evolution of high-performance offshore design under ORC's VPP system - lightweight construction, refined appendages, and powerful yet controllable sail plans.
Kickoff of the Regatta - Short Offshore Race
Following two days of safety inspections and equipment checks, teams gathered Monday evening at Club Náutico de Altea for the Skippers' Briefing and Welcome Cocktail. Racing begins on Midday, Tuesday, March 3, with the Short Offshore Race marking the opening of the ORC Double-Handed European Championship.
Forecast conditions indicate a moderate-to-fresh north to north-easterly "gregal" breeze, with stronger gusts offshore and possible reduced visibility due to Saharan dust over eastern Spain. The 37-nautical-mile course, expected to take 8-10 hours for slower boats, will immediately demand precise sail handling, disciplined energy management, and sharp coastal routing.
Starting off Altea, the fleet will round Moraira (starboard), Altea (port), and the Island of Benidorm (starboard) before finishing off the club between the signal mast and an orange lighted buoy near the port entrance. Compact yet technically demanding, the race sets the tone for the championship's main offshore challenge.
Wednesday, March 4, will be reserved as a rest and preparation day, highlighted by the traditional 14:00 paella gathering for participants and organizers.
The championship can be followed in real time online via the official event website, with GPS tracking on all boats and live mobile tracking available through the TracTrac application. www.200millasa2.com/index.
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