Olympic Port to host the start of the Ophiusa Regatta for second year running

The twentieth edition of this regatta, which brings together Barcelona and Formentera, will take place from 6 to 8 April next year 

Hosting the Ophiusa Regatta fits in with the Olympic Port’s ambition to promote recreational sailing, nautical training, and water sports 

For the second year running, the Olympic Port will be the starting point for the Ophiusa Regatta, which links the Catalan coast with the island of Formentera. What will be its twentieth edition will take place from 6 to 8 April next year, coinciding with Holy Week. The announcement was made in a presentation at the Olympic Sport’s stand at the Barcelona International Boat Show. 

As usual, depending on the number of boats registered, another start will be organised at Sa Ràpita Port, in Mallorca, with a different route and separate classifications. 

A total of 32 vessels registered last year, and the same numbers are expected this year. The Ophiusa Regatta mainly involves boats from the ports of the Maresme and Barcelonès counties. The whole regatta can be followed live by satellite. 

History of the Ophiusa Regatta 

The Ophiusa Regatta began in April 2004 in response to interest shown by many sailors in spending Holy Week in Formentera, to make the most of the quiet season. The first departure port was Aiguadolç-Port de Sitges, but since last year, the regatta has set out from Barcelona’s Olympic Port.  

‘Ophiusa’ is a Greek word meaning land of snakes, which is how the Greeks referred to the island of Formentera.  

The Olympic Port promotes amateur sailing 

Popularising and giving a boost to sailing is one of the strategic pillars of the new Olympic Port project, commissioned by Barcelona City Council and driven by Barcelona de Serveis Municipals (B:SM) since 2020. Hosting the Ophiusa Regatta therefore fits in with the new Olympic Port’s ambition to promote recreational sailing, nautical training and water sports. 

The Olympic Port’s transformation has begun and is making steady progress, with the 37th America’s Cup on the horizon. It will be held in Barcelona in 2024. Currently underway is the refurbishment of the premises that will house the city’s first blue economy centre. On top of that, September saw the start of development work on the Dic de Recer breakwater, which will become the new seafront promenade open to the public. This work is in addition to the construction of a new entrance, also underway, that will link the city with the port, and the new Gastronomic Balcony project, which will become a reality in the summer of 2024.