The 32nd edition of the iconic “Regatta of the Ports of the Discoveries” took place from the 7th to the 9th of July, linking Palos de La Frontera (Spain) to Lagos.
The regatta unites, through a sea crossing of 90 nautical miles, the twin cities of Palos de La Frontera and Lagos, recalling the journey that the caravels made during the Age of Discovery.
This edition had the usual organization of the Clube de Vela de Lagos, in partnership with the Ayuntamiento de Palos de La Frontera and the municipality of Lagos, with the participation of councilor Sandra Oliveira as a crew member of the sailboat Clementina.
It also had the support of Marina de Lagos, Centro Náutico Sopromar, Captaincy of the Port of Lagos, Puerto Deportivo de Mazagon and Fundacion Cepsa.
In the 2023 edition, more than 100 sailors of different nationalities participated, among the 19 registered vessels (Portuguese, Spanish and English), in the Cruzeiro ORC and NHC classes.
In an atmosphere of healthy conviviality and competition, the vessels left the port of Mazagon, in Spain, at 10:00 am on the 8th, heading for the city of Lagos.
The light wind from the north quadrant that was felt at the start was intensified, reaching around 20 knots, allowing all boats to carry out the test without stops, in a very fast time, when compared to some previous editions.
The first vessel to arrive in the city of Lagos was the sayonara light, flying the Spanish flag, at 1:25 am on the 9th, but, taking into account its rating (which compensates for the difference in speed between the vessels), the vessel Firefly, flying the English flag, won this year's edition in the Cruise ORC class.
In the Cruise NHC class, it was a much debated event, with the vessel marmeo achieved victory by just three minutes.
All vessels used the geo-location system provided by the organisation, which allows the public, and in particular the sailors' family and friends, to know the exact location of each vessel and the route taken so far.
The race ended with the trophy delivery ceremony and dinner, where all the participants exchanged their stories and adventures of the race, in another pleasant moment of conviviality.
The 33rd edition has already been scheduled for the 12th to the 14th of July 2024, with the route taking place in the opposite direction to that of this year's edition (Lagos -> Palos de La Frontera).
This regatta remains the most important activity to celebrate the act of twinning (October 27, 1992) between the two cities linked to the period of the Discoveries.
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