Press wheel of winners of the 30 Route of the Sal- Pepe Ferrés Trophy. Photo: Alfred Farré

After a very hard race, the loose and unstable and flimsy winds that have turned the Balear Sea into a difficult and tactically complicated race field to manage, have been the winners of the 30th anniversary race of La Sal-Trophy Pepe Ferres.

In the North Version, the victory is noted the Baltic 61 "Clajasan" by Francisco Churtichaga of the Barcelona RCN, which with a time of 24: 42: 45 has been clearly imposed on the German "Caro" Botin by Maximilian Klink, winner in Real Time of this 140-mile tour from Barcelona with a time of 24: 19: 28. While the third place was for the GS44R "Enigma" by Luis Tortilla Martín of RCN of Barcelona that I set a time of 32: 47: 10 to cover the tour from Denia. An extremely complex syllable in this edition of La Sal, which has required great tactical and technical efforts by the crews to reach the line of arrival in Cap Negret.

"CLEM" by Jaime Olazabal of the Club de Mar de Mallorca, with a record in 103 miles from Andratx of 24: 59: 05 is the absolute winner of the new West Version of the Salt, leading a general classification where the second square is for the Swan 65-1974 "Libelula" of Borja Pella with a chrono of 26: 38: 25 and the third for the GS 37C "Nidea 2 ″ of Alejo Truyols of the CN of La Rapita with a time of 28: 40: 40 to cover the circuit from Andratx." Spock "winner in real time of this La Sal getaway, once the compensation is applied it is awarded an 8ab. square in the general.

With this result, "CLEM" becomes the first team to record a victory in the general of the new West Version of La Sal, for Amada Hatley and Jaime Olazabal, shipowners of Clem, a new victory that credits them as a reference team in the history of this race. It should be recalled that "CLEM" was the absolute winner of the North Version of the La Sal Route in 2009 and 2010, the latter year that also was the winner in Real Time. Winner in Real in the East Version of 2013, call in which I achieve the third place in the absolute general of this stretch.

Finally in the 117 miles of the East Version from Denia and with a record of 22: 13: 32, it is clearly imposed, the Centurion 40 S of Antonio Gadea of the RCN of Valencia, "Blue Dragon," being the second place for the Italian "Jeffertje II" of Carl Bal, a GS46 of the RCN of Calle with a time of 22: 44: 52, closing the podium of the First 47.7 "Brujo Jazz" of Sergio Ramirez of the Varadero the Palmas. The "Alzira Moraira," real-time winner of the East Version of La Sal 2017, in general the 10th is awarded. Plaza.

Finally, it should be remembered that the winners in Real Time of this 30 edition of the route of La Sal were; in the North Version the Botin 65 "CARO" of the German shipowner Maximilian Klink, with a record of 24: 19: 28, also being the first ship of all participants in the different lengths of La Sal to cross the line of arrival in Cap Negret at 11: 19: 28 h. on Friday, April 14.

"Alzira Moraira," a Swan 75 of Augustine Gregory has been the winner in Real Time of the East Sal Version 2017, with a record of 21: 59: 51 and, finally, the German sailboat "Spock," a Finot- Conq 53 of Thomas Shumacher, with a time of 24: 36: 26 has awarded the victory in Real Time of the West Sal Version, making this data first official reference time for this long from the Port of Andraxt in Majorca.

(14 / 04 / 2017) Route of the Salt: "Caro," "Alzira Moraira" and "Spock" winners in the real versions

"Spock" by Thomas Shumacher winner in real time of the new West Version of The Salt Route (Photo Alfred Farré)

Thomas Schumacher's "Spock" has been, after crossing the line of arrival at Cap Negret today at 14: 06: 26., the winner in Real Time of the West Version of The Salt Route, a result that makes this boat, a fast and very competitive Finot-Conq 53, in the first team that records an official time for this stretch of La Sal. The second square in real time has been for the Swan 56 "Clem" by Amanda Hatley and Jaime Olazabal, who crossed the line of arrival at 14: 29: 05., after many miles of very closed competition with the "Spock." In short, there are differences of times, in any case very fair, between the two sailboats, considering the hours that the race has lasted. A situation, without a doubt, very committed to the compensation of times. It should be noted that the West Version of La Sal is disputed on the basis of a tour from Port of Andratx in Mallorca to St. John's. Antoni, leaving the islands of Tagomago, Formentera, Es Vedrá, Bledas and Rabbit for starboard. About 103 miles of singlature.

The "Caro" of Maximilian Klink, first ship on the 30 Route of La Sal to cross the line of arrival (Photo Alfred Farré)

The German shipowner Maximilian Klink, with his Button 65 "Caro" has been, once again, the fastest ship to travel the 140 miles from Port Ginesta to Sant Antoni- Ibiza, proclaiming to be the winner in Real Time of this race, being also the first ship of all the fleets involved in crossing, at 11: 19: 28 h today, 14 April 2017, the line of arrival in Cap Negret, after him, at 11: 42: 45 h. entered the Baltic 61 "Clajasan" of Barcelona's RCN Churtichaga. It should be noted that "Caro" was already the absolute winner in the 2016 North Version of La Sal, in which he accumulated the victories in Real and Compensated Time, which, in advance, drew it as one of the favorites for this 30 edition of La Sal.

With this result, Maximilian Klink becomes one of the most well-known shipowners in the race. Apart from the records mentioned above, in 2007, he was absolute winner in real time and compensated, which made him the first foreign team to win in the race. In 2011, with its J & V50 "Caro" was the fastest to cover 140 miles from Port Ginesta to San Antoni de Portmany with a record of only 13 hours, 18 minutes and 54 seconds. By crediting an average speed throughout the journey greater than 10.70 knots. Setting a record for this line that will normally be very difficult to overcome.

The Swan 75, "Alzira Moraira" of Agustín Gregori of CN de Moraira, has been, when crossing the line of arrival at 11: 59: 51 h., the fastest ship of the East Version of La Sal 2017, proclaiming the winner of the Real Time of this 120-mile tour from Denia to Sant Antoni of Portmany taking Formentera by port, the Island of Tagomago and, sailing on the north coast of Ibiza, reaching Cap Negret. At 12: 28: 22 h. has crossed the line in second place in real time of this East Version in Swan 42 "Brujo," by Alberto Castro del RCN de Valencia.

At the time of editing this information is recorded in the area of the arrival of the race, in Cap Negret, a wind of N / NE of about 7 / 8 knots rather initiated which allows the teams in competition to gradually approach the final stretch of the race, advancing, for the next hours, a rather massive entrance of ships, which will certainly have a significant weight in view of the general classifications of this 30 edition of the Route of La Sal - Trophy Pepe Ferres.

The first participant of the West Version with exit in Port of Andraxt, which, in principle, is the "Clem" of Jaime Olazabal is located between Es Verá and Cap Negret, estimated that he could cross the line of arrival in a short time.
For tomorrow Saturday, April 15, the program of activities of La Sal is planning, at 12: 00 p.m., a Press Wheel with the winners of the race. At 13: 00 p.m. the opening of the "30 Years of La Sal" exhibition is scheduled for the regatists, then giving way to an Iberian appetizer offered by the Ajuntament of St. Antoni, in the entrance garden of the Faro. At 20: 00 p.m. the Official Act of Trophy Delivery at the Carpa de La Sal and, finally from 21: 00 p.m. the Dinner - Buffet for all the crews that will take place at Restaurant Es Nautic, at the Nautic Club, which will end with the 30th Anniversary of La Sal.

When closing this information there are still many ships in competition, the wind remains very unstable and the forecast is that there are still many hours to be able to close the arrivals to this 30 edition of La Sal which will be, safe, remembered as a difficult and very, very tactical test.

13 / 04 / 2017: The loose winds leading to the start of the 30 edition of La Ruta de la Sal

Today, April 13, Holy Thursday, the 30th edition of the Ruta de la Sal High Regata - Pepe Ferres Trophy with exits from Port Ginesta in Barcelona for the North Regatta Version, Denia for East Version and Port of Andraxt in Mallorca for the new West Version of La Sal, with arrival, for the three routes, in Sant Antoni de Portmany in Ibiza.

The North Version, with 65 ships manned by 472 regatists, has today sailed from the waters of Port Ginesta with direct direction to Sant Antoni de Portmany, after an hour delay, at 11: 00, sailing with fully flat sea and very loose 2 / 3 knots of the SSO that, during the next hours they will roll towards the SO. A 140-mile tour open to different tactical options, which will force participants to work hard until they arrive at Cab Negret in Ibiza.

The East Version of La Sal, with 89 sailing boats manned by 515 regatists, will cross the line of departure today at 14: 00 h, with a wind forecast of about 6 / 7 knots of the SE that go rolling towards the S / SO of force 2 and points of 3, with the aim of covering a 120-mile route to Sant Antoni de Portmany taking Formentera by port, the Island of Tagomago and, sailing on the north coast of Ibiza, to Cab Negret, two miles north of the port of Sant Antoni, where this line of arrival is located. For the participants in the departure from Denia the race, dominated by the bearing winds will, theoretically, be relatively fast and of high sports profile.

The departure of the new Western version of La Sal from Puerto de Andraxt to Sant Antoni with 40 boats with competition manned by 232 athletes, when writing this information advance is postponed due to lack of wind. The route of this long, which could be shortened if the meteology so advised, forces to leave the islands of Tagomago, Formentera, Es Vedrá, Bledas and Rabbit as starboard. About 103 miles of singlature. In which low bow winds will prevail, at least for much of the race and the influences of the micro climates, very unstable in general, that generate the orografia of the coasts and freus of Ibiza. Then a complicated race, very tactic and loaded with sports options for which the strategies of navigation are right.

The ships of the largest length were put to the head just after crossing the line (Photo: Alfred Farré)

The time, as the popular meteéologo Tomás Molina, a regular participant in this race, advanced, points to a few scenarios in the Balear Sea of low winds of the S / SO, with speeds of between 2 and 7 knots throughout the day 13 April and until the early hours of the morning of Friday 14. The moment from which a panorama of very loose and unstable winds and areas of waterfall is advanced, which will, throughout the day, affect mainly the coasts of northern Ibiza. A situation that will normally last until Saturday morning 15 when the wind rolls to the SE / E significantly increasing its intensity.

A panorama that advances a difficult and very tactic race. Also some scenarios that could allow, the ships that get to Ibiza during the early hours of the early morning of Friday to accumulate a clear, and determine the advantage of the wind window that is expected before the crouches that are announced for April 14. The fastest ships could reach Sant Antoni de Portmany from early in the morning of Friday. Meteological models speak of a race of difficult prognosis, in which the real-time speed differences between ships of greater and lower length could be extremely decisive in view of general classifications. In principle, the vast majority of participants are expected to arrive in Sant Antoni from the last hours of the afternoon, even the first hours of the night of Friday, April 14. The time limit to complete the race is set at 14: 00 on Saturday, March 15, 2017.

12 / 4 / 2017: The 30 Route of the Salt starts on Holy Thursday from Port Ginesta, Denia and Andratx

It is expected that the fastest ships could reach Sant Antoni de Portmany from the early morning or early hours of Friday, April 14 and, depending on the weather conditions that finally prevail in the Balear Sea for the next 72 hours, could be extended until the morning of Saturday (Photo Alfred Farré)

Tomorrow April 13, Holy Thursday, the 30th edition of the Ruta de la Sal High Regata will begin, with exits from Port Ginest- Barcelona for the North Regatta, Denia for East Version and Port of Andraxt- Mallorca for the new West Version, with arrival, in all cases, in Sant Antoni de Portmany in Ibiza. The departure of the Northern version of La Sal, in which 74 ships manned by about 480 regatists will compete is scheduled for tomorrow, April 13 at 10: 00 from the CM Port Ginesta in Barcelona. The fleet will cover a 140-mile direct route to the CN Sant Antoni of Portmany in Ibiza.

The East Version, with 94 registered sailboats manned by about 570 athletes, will take the exit at 14: 00 tomorrow, April 13, from the Nautical RC of Denia. The participants will be forced to sail a 120-mile circuit that requires to take Formentera and the island of Tagomago by port and to cost the north of Ibiza to Sant Antoni. The new West Version of La Sal with 43 boats with about 270 crew will start at 12 noon on Thursday 13 April 2017 from Port of Andratx to St. John's. Antoni, leaving the islands of Tagomago, Formentera, Es Vedrá, Bledas and Rabbit for starboard. About 103 miles of singlature.

As a reference indicate that to date the fastest boat to travel the 140 miles of the North Version has been the German sailboat "Caro" with a record of only 13 hours, 18 minutes and 54 seconds. By crediting an average speed throughout the journey of more than 10.70 knots. In the East Version the record time is set in 13 hours, 10 minutes and 15 seconds that point the "Plis-Play" in the 2012 race. In the West Version, the times set in this edition will be the reference for this circuit that premiered as a sports novelty of the 30th anniversary of the La Sal Route (Photo Alfred Farré)

As favorite teams, in the Northern Version, the German "Caro" sailboat by Maximilian Klink, winner of La Sal in 2007, 2011 and 2016, is worth noting. The Swam 45 "Coratge" by Manuel Jane, with victories in the 1989, 1990, 2014 and 2015 editions. Finally a reference to David Tur, with his B & C 45 "Atlant del Vent" of the CN of Ibiza, winner of the 2003 Salt Route and podiums in the 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2015 editions.

In the This Version a reference must be made to the "Nautic Café del Mar" by Juan Carlos Sanchis of the CN de Sant Antoni de Portmany, winner of the 2013 and 2014 editions of La Sal. Also to the "Scratada-Café del Mar" patronized by Toni Tur, and finally, among others, to the X-65 Performance, "Dos Much" by Joan Segui of the RCN of the Port of Pollensa; team that in 2011, was the real-time winner of the East Version of Salt.

The new West Version is premiered with a very competitive fleet among which we highlight the Swam 56 "Clem" of Amanda Hatley of the Mallorca Sea Club, winners of La Sal in 2009, 2010 and a podium in 2013. Also to the Fortune 9 "Posidonia Uno" by Ramón Balanzat of the CN of Ibiza, winner of the East Version of the 25 edition of La Ruta de La Sal disputed in 2012. Amador Magraner from Real Club Náutico del Puerto de Pollensa, winner of the 2011 North Version of La Sal, who participated in this run-off with the Swam 441R "Carat." The Dufour 40J "Alba Alba" by Luis Mata del CN of Ibiza, second in the general of the 2016 East Version, or on board the Swam 65, "Libellula" Borja Pella, absolute winner of La Ruta de La Sal 2005 and 2006.

Some scenarios that show very tactical marked by variable winds and somewhat unstable.. A competition where zonal microclimates, surface currents and general strategies of approach to Ibiza will be decisive... in general sunny days, summer hours and, according to how, the inherent inestabilities of the moon change (Photo Aldred Farré)

The weather predictions indicate in principle that The Sal 2017 is going to sail under dominant winds of South component, with predominations in the Balear Sea of SSO / SO of force 2 / 3 that, for the case of the North Version, would range between an E of 5 / 6 knots in the output to roll in a few hours to SO / SSO with mean intensities of between force 2 / 3. In the East Version they will be, in the output, of 6 / 8 knots SSE that roll towards the SSO gives up to a maximum of 12 knots. In the West Version, it is expected that the competition will begin with 6 / 7 kt winds of the SO. On the coast of Sant Antoni from the night of 13 and early morning of 14 April, when the fastest ships could begin to arrive, the winds will be very loose SSO, which throughout the day will be rolling towards O and NNO of strength 2 / 3. The state of the sea will be good, predominating the tidal and sometimes calm sea.