After several modifications to the SOLO MED regatta route due to weather conditions, the Valencian skipper, member of the Mini FNOB Base, was the first to arrive at Marina Vela Barcelona, aboard the mini 1027 “La Nona”.
“It was my first navigation on a PROTO and I have had a bad time because of the tension. It's very physical and you have to be really in shape to keep it up all the time. It goes much faster than with a SERIES and the accumulated tension is noticeable. But I loved the experience, and the result couldn't be better.” were the words of Genis Hontoria, who seemed satisfied after his first experience in the category.
Behind the, Yaël Poupon (1051 Bihannic), who was the winner of Regatta 2 and second in Regatta 1, in addition to taking the Boat Show Trophy for the best time in the sum of the two regattas. «She had never sailed through the Balearic Islands and I loved it. The coast is beautiful and negotiating the passages between islands has been very tiring, but I have really enjoyed this regatta. I will repeat of course! »
The two regattas that are part of the ONLY MED 2022 have had as protagonist the changing weatherlarvae, nymphs, and adults, so The Regatta Direction had to modify the program and the routes repeatedly to prevent participants from facing sea and wind conditions that made navigation dangerous.
Anna Corbella, director SOLO MED: "It has been a tough race due to the weather conditions and due to the unreliability of medium-term forecasts. "We have prioritized safety and we have had to shorten the course and modify the program, but the entire fleet is very satisfied with the regatta."
With a positive balance on the part of the participants, the SOLOMED 2022 has concluded with the awards ceremony at the FNOB. The Port of Barcelona has offered the Mirastel trophy to the first three in each category, a reproduction of the floating sculpture of Robert Llimós which constitutes one of the icons of the Port of Barcelona. The six trophies have been awarded by the Director of Port Vell, Joan Colldecarrera.
Helly hansen, sponsor of the regatta and regular collaborator of the FNOB and Mini Barcelona Base, has offered gifts to the winners. Unanimity among the fleet in gratitude to the hospitality of CN Sa Ràpita and the FNOB, with the essential collaboration of Marina Vela Barcelona, which has provided moorings and facilities to the 34 registered boats.
SOLO MED 2022 has been the first step towards the objective of the FNOB and Base Mini of organizing a great regatta in the Mediterranean of the Mini class. The meteorology of the Mediterranean requires a different approach than the events in the Atlantic, but the success of participation and the final balance by the participants of this first edition is a formidable starting point. The unstoppable growth of interest in Mini class 6,50 and the determined commitment of Barcelona City Council, Mini Base and the FNOB to consolidate its leadership in the Mediterranean, are very favorable factors to achieve this objective in 2023.