Next week, the 44Cup will visit Cartagena in the Murcia region of southern Spain, marking its third debut venue in the last year after Fuerteventura and Puntaldia. This location will be significant as it decides the outcome of the 2026 44Cup season.
Aleph Racing, led by Pietro Loro Piana and recently crowned RC44 World Champions, aims to maintain its overall lead against competition from Markus Törnqvist’s GeMera Race, just one point behind, and Chris Bake’s Team Aqua and defending champion Vladimir Prosikhin’s Team Nika, who are trailing by three points.
The 44Cup will take place with support from the Ayuntamiento de Cartagena, Gobierno Región de Murcia, and the Autoridad Portuaria de Cartagena, capitalising on Cartagena’s rich maritime history and deep-water harbour, which is renowned as one of the best in the western Mediterranean.
Cartagena offers a blend of historical significance, having been founded by the Carthaginians in 227 BC, and modern-day appeal as a naval hub for Spain, including its submarine fleet. Emilio Azofra, event co-director, emphasises the opportunity to showcase local heritage and hospitality to a global audience.
In August of last year, Cartagena hosted the Ocean Race Europe, and the 44Cup community has a history with three events from the Audi MedCup held there between 2009 and 2011. Participants recall varying wind conditions, with some events marked by strong winds and waves, while others had lighter breezes, making the racing challenging and dynamic.
With temperatures in the early 20s°C, the venue promises exciting racing, even in lighter conditions. Diego Fructuoso, another event co-director and local sailor, describes hosting the regatta in his hometown as a dream come true, highlighting the fierce competition and the unique challenges that a new venue presents.
The event will run from 12-15 November, with a practice race set for 11 November. For further details, visit www.44cup.org.
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