The 29th edition of the TabarcaVela Regatta, organized by the Real Club de Regatas de Alicante (RCRA), will be held from July 18 to 20, 2025, off the Costa Blanca. This is a prestigious sailing event with nearly three decades of history, recognized as one of the most important cruising regattas in Spain. Every summer, the regatta brings together dozens of boats and hundreds of sailors off the coast of Alicante, offering a unique sporting spectacle that blends tradition, competition, and tourism promotion.
History of TabarcaVela: From Origins to Consolidation
The TabarcaVela is deeply embedded in the history of Spanish sailing. It began in 1996 as the Tabarca - Ciudad de Alicante Trophy, organized by the RCRA. From its early years, it stood out in the national circuit and eventually evolved into the current TabarcaVela Diputación de Alicante, reflecting the support of the provincial government.
By 2009, it attracted around 80 boats and 700 sailors, and was classified as a High-Level Regatta by the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation (RFEV). During the golden era of Spanish offshore sailing, it became a reference event with top-tier international boats (like the powerful TP52s) and elite sailors.
After a break in 2020, the event was reinvigorated in 2021, introducing new formats to attract more fleets. The 2023 edition was the largest to date, with 70 boats at the starting line. Under Núria Sánchez Nomdedeu's leadership, the RCRA expanded classes and adjusted the schedule to encourage national and international participation. These efforts have solidified the regatta as the flagship summer sailing event in Alicante, especially with its traditional round-the-island course around Tabarca.
2025 Edition: Dates, Participants, and Key Highlights
The 29th TabarcaVela Regatta will run from July 18 to 20, 2025. Around 70 boats and 700 sailors are expected to compete, with ambitions of reaching 100 entries from across Spain and Europe.
New Features and Race Structure:
- Up to 9 racing categories, ensuring diversity for different types of sailing yachts.
- ORC classes divided into four divisions based on size and rating.
- The ORC A2 category (two-person offshore sailing) returns, with a ~100 nautical mile course from Valencia to Alicante, acting as a prelude to the main regatta.
- The Promo Club category offers amateur local cruisers a chance to compete in a simplified format.
One-Design Classes:
- The elegant Dragon class returns, with Alicante hosting Spain’s largest fleet.
- The female J22 category is also back, supported by Alicante City&Beach, promoting women’s sailing and serving as prep for the Iberdrola Women’s Sailing League Finals.
- Larger boats (ORC 0–1) have their own classification, attracting the top cruising yachts in the country.
Race Format:
- Friday & Sunday: Technical windward-leeward races off the coast of Alicante.
- Saturday: The “Queen Race”, a 30–31 nautical mile coastal course that circles the island of Tabarca, the event’s namesake and centerpiece.
The ORC A2 race from Valencia to Alicante is planned for the days prior (likely July 13–14).
This edition promises a balanced program of short tactical races and longer offshore challenges, with national and international participation from regions like Andalusia, Balearic Islands, Catalonia, Canary Islands, Madrid, and more.
National and International Importance
The TabarcaVela is now considered one of Spain’s top 3 sailing events, alongside the Copa del Rey (Palma) and the Trofeo SM La Reina (Valencia). Recognized as a High-Level Regatta by the RFEV, it has drawn Olympic sailors and renowned yachts over its nearly 30-year run.
Its strategic scheduling between Valencia’s Trofeo Reina and Palma’s Copa del Rey attracts top international teams transiting the Mediterranean regatta circuit. Notable boats like the Estrella Damm (Farr 52) and iconic Spanish yachts such as Bribón-Movistar, CAM, and Pez de Abril have participated.
The RCRA also awards Communication Prizes each year, highlighting media efforts to promote sailing. In 2025, Diario AS, Onda Cero Alicante, and the training schooner Tirant Primer will be honored for their contributions to sports journalism and environmental education.
Tourism and Economic Impact on Alicante
TabarcaVela is a major summer tourism boost for Alicante, drawing over 1,000 additional visitors during the regatta period. The RCRA’s Race Village becomes a lively hub with sponsor tents, live music, and social events. The influx benefits local hospitality businesses, while also promoting Alicante as a premier nautical destination.
Tourism boards like “Alicante City&Beach” sponsor regatta classes, and the provincial government (Diputación de Alicante) supports the event’s logistics. The regatta also gets extensive media coverage, promoting Alicante’s scenic coastline and rich sailing culture. Its status is reinforced by Alicante’s role as a start port for The Ocean Race, showing its global maritime relevance.
How to Experience TabarcaVela 2025: Tips for Spectators
If you’re in Alicante during the regatta, here’s how to make the most of it:
Best Viewing Spots from Land:
- Postiguet Beach and the Harbor Promenade for in-city race starts.
- Santa Bárbara Castle for panoramic views of the bay.
- Tabarca Island or Cape Santa Pola for watching the Saturday coastal race with binoculars.
Trip to Tabarca:
- Take a ferry from Alicante or Santa Pola to watch the fleet round the island.
- Enjoy a swim in the island’s coves and try the traditional “caldero tabarquino”.
- Arrive early as the island gets crowded in summer.
Watching from the Water:
- Sailors with boats can follow the race offshore, keeping a safe distance.
- Some local companies may offer spectator boat tours during the regatta.
Events at the Club:
- The Race Village at RCRA hosts awards ceremonies, live music, and sponsor stands.
- On Sunday afternoon, the closing ceremony takes place at the club.
- Mornings are ideal for seeing the fleet depart, while afternoons are lively as crews return.
Practical Tips:
- Bring sun protection, hat, water, and snacks.
- Binoculars are useful for coastal viewing.
- Check the race start times (usually midday) for planning your day.
The RCRA: A Historic Organizer and Pillar of Sailing in Alicante
Founded in 1889, the Real Club de Regatas de Alicante is one of Spain’s oldest sailing clubs, with deep roots in the city’s cultural and sporting history. It has promoted rowing, dinghy sailing, and offshore cruising, produced Olympic athletes, and was among the first to establish sailing schools in Spain.
The TabarcaVela is its flagship event. For RCRA president Miguel López, it embodies the club’s mission to promote elite and grassroots sailing, while opening the event to all citizens of Alicante.
The club also hosts training clinics, amateur classes, and sustainability initiatives, such as recognizing the Tirant I schooner for environmental education. Its support of gender equality is evident in its female class and partnership with the Iberdrola Women’s Sailing League.
Thanks to the RCRA, Alicante enjoys not just a world-class regatta, but also a vibrant sailing culture that inspires young sailors and boosts tourism. The 29th edition of TabarcaVela 2025 will be another proud chapter in this ongoing story written by the winds, waves, and the silhouette of Tabarca on the horizon.
Sources consulted: Official websites of RCRA and TabarcaVela, Diario AS, Alicante Plaza, ABC Náutica, Federación de Vela de la C.V., Archivo Somvela, Diario Información, among others. All figures and quotes are from official event data.
Enjoy TabarcaVela 2025 – where sailing meets history and tourism on the sparkling shores of Alicante. Fair winds and following seas!
