In the last year the 44Cup has already visited two venues for the first time – Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands and Puntaldia in Sardinia. Next week it will visit a third – Cartagena in the Murcia region of southern Spain, where the outcome of the 2026 44Cup will be decided.
Will the Pietro Loro Piana-steered Aleph Racing, recently crowned RC44 World Champions in Cowes, hang on to the overall lead to secure her first ever 44Cup season’s victory? Or will it be the turn of Markus Törnqvist’s GeMera Race, just one point behind? Or an additional three points back, the old hands - Chris Bake’s Team Aqua and defending 44Cup champion Vladimir Prosikhin’s Team Nika?
The final 44Cup of the season is taking place in Cartagena with the generous support of the Ayuntamiento de Cartagena, Gobierno Región de Murcia and the Autoridad Portuaria de Cartagena.
Protected on the south side of the mountainous Cape Palos peninsula that culminates in one of southern Spain’s more significant headlands, and close to Murcia’s well known inland sea the Mar Menor, Cartagena as a natural deep water harbour, said to be one of the western Mediterranean’s best. Since being formally founded by the Carthaginians in 227 BC it has had a lengthy maritime history. Since the 18th century it has been a primary centre for the Spanish Navy and remains so today being the base for Spain’s submarine fleet, among other activities.
It is this rich maritime heritage, combined with the city’s modern-day appeal, that makes Cartagena such a fitting host for the 44Cup. As event co-director Emilio Azofra explains: "The event provides an opportunity to showcase the heritage, cuisine and hospitality of Cartagena, the Region of Murcia and Costa Cálida to a major international audience. With the 44Cup technical area based in the exceptional facilities of the Port of Cartagena, a challenging racecourse set close to shore and a public-facing hospitality area in the heart of the city, we can bring sailing closer to the community and truly bring our slogan, ‘Cartagena Sailing City’, to life."
In terms of Cartagena’s past as a venue for competitive sailing, the Ocean Race Europe in August last year berthed there at the Yacht Port Cartagena. More senior members of the 44Cup community were part of the three events on the Audi MedCup (predecessor to today’s 52 Super Series) that took place there over 2009-2011.
44Cup PRO Maria Torrijo remembers a windy event in 2010: “I don't know if it's always so windy, but there is a lot of current - it is more the current than the wind that makes the big waves, because it is very close to the Cape. The waves are not choppy waves like we are used to having in the Mediterranean, but proper Atlantic-type waves.”
Peninsula Racing’s John Bassadone, who is the RC44 owner living nearest to Cartagena, competed there in 2010 aboard his GP42 yacht and has similar recollections. “It was very windy. It's just famous for being windy in November. It will be like Cascais. My only other recollection was that we got a podium for the time even though it was just the beginning of our campaign. It was very exciting…and only a three hour drive home!”
So too Aleph Racing tactician Michele Ivaldi who competed there in 2010 with Torbjörn Törnqvist’s Artemis Racing team and remembers: “Huge waves, a huge amount of wind and a lot of sails broken. I have a picture of it in my office!”
In fact when the regatta took place there the following year, the wind was much lighter and historic meteorological data confirms that the prevailing northerly wind is typically a more modest 8-12 knots – although the area is prone to sudden and severe gales from the southwest, especially later in the year. Those already wishing to vacate autumn in northern Europe will enjoy temperatures in the early 20s˚C. With a mountainous coastline and a sharply shelving sea floor combined with strong current off the headland, there is sure to never be a dull moment to the venue even in lighter breeze.
"For me, as someone born and raised in Cartagena and as a professional sailor, hosting an RC44 regatta in my hometown is a dream come true," said event co-director Diego Fructuoso. "These boats deliver incredibly close and exciting racing, with teams competing just metres apart. The crews know the class extremely well and push themselves and their boats to the very limit, making for spectacular racing.
"I also believe that coming to a new venue, somewhere they have never sailed before, is a great attraction for the teams. The novelty of a new sailing area brings an extra challenge and opens up new opportunities for teams looking to compete in a different setting."
Fellow event director Patricio Rosa concludes: "The event will combine sporting competition with a wide program of activities to raise awareness about the importance of protecting and caring for our seas. The program will also include a maritime market, shows, street parades and live music, bringing the culture of the sea closer to all audiences."
Racing will take place over 12-15 November with a practice race day on Wednesday 11th, to find out more about the event visit www.44cup.org.