The 7th Vuelta Costa del Sol A2 will follow the Andalusian coastline between Málaga, Sotogrande and Marina del Este

The seventh edition of the regatta, organised by the Real Club El Candado, will take place from 4 to 8 December and will count towards the Spanish A2 Cruiser Cup. The crews will tackle a demanding course between Málaga, Sotogrande and Marina del Este.

The dates and route for the 2026 edition of the 7th Vuelta Costa del Sol A2 have now been confirmed. From 4 to 8 December, the Andalusian Mediterranean coast will once again be the setting for a crewed cruising yacht race, in which strategy, stamina and coordination between the two sailors will be crucial.

Organised by the Real Club El Candado, on behalf of the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation and in collaboration with the Andalusian Sailing Federation and the Regional Government of Andalusia, the event will count towards the 2026 Spanish A2 Cruiser Cup. The event is also known as the Andalusian A2 Championship and the Senda Azul Trophy.

The competition will start in Málaga and will take in various locations along the Andalusian coast, with Sotogrande as the first port of call and the starting point for the second leg.

Three legs to sail the Costa del Sol

The sporting programme comprises three legs that will test the crews’ ability to manage navigation, manoeuvres and changing weather conditions.

First leg: Málaga – Sotogrande

The competition will begin on Friday 4 December, with the attention signal scheduled for 09:00. The boats will sail towards Sotogrande, one of the main sailing destinations on the Cadiz coast. The cut-off time for this first leg has been set at 06:00 on Saturday 5th.

Second leg: Sotogrande – Marina del Este

On Saturday 5 December at 10.00, the warning signal for the second leg is scheduled. The fleet will set sail for Marina del Este, on the Granada coast, with a cut-off time set for Sunday 6 at 20.00.

Third leg: Marina del Este – Málaga

The final leg will begin on Monday 7 December at 09:00 and will take the participants back to Málaga. The cut-off time for arrival is set for 23:00 on the same day.

The prize-giving ceremony will take place on Tuesday 8 December at 1.00 pm, followed by a closing lunch dubbed ‘The 4th Leg’ by the organisers.

The challenge of sailing with just two crew members

One of the key features of the Vuelta Costa del Sol A2 is its reduced crew format. Each boat must compete with exactly two people on board, which means that the responsibilities for navigation and manoeuvring must be shared between the two sailors.

The rules allow the use of an autopilot during the competition, a tool that is particularly important in this type of sailing.

Boats eligible to take part must hold a valid ORC A2 measurement certificate for 2026, have a minimum length of nine metres and a CDL greater than 7.50.

The race will be held in accordance with World Sailing’s Category 4 safety regulations, with one specific restriction: no boat may stray more than ten miles from the coast during the race.

In addition, all boats must carry a GPS tracking device that will allow their position to be tracked online.

Sotogrande, a key location in the competition

The inclusion of Sotogrande in the route makes the regatta of particular interest to the sailing community in the Campo de Gibraltar.

The first leg will finish at this location, from where the fleet will set sail the following day for Marina del Este. This stopover will place Sotogrande at the heart of the sporting action during the first few days of competition.

The route will also require participants to pay close attention to changes in wind and sea conditions. December weather may influence tactical decisions, particularly on the westernmost sections of the route, near the area of influence of the Strait of Gibraltar.

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At present, the notice of race does not provide a specific weather forecast, so the actual conditions will need to be analysed as the start date approaches.

Classifications, trophies and race records

The competition will feature ORC 1 and ORC 2 class rankings, as well as an overall ranking.

Scores will be calculated using the low-point system, adding up the results of all legs without the option to discard any of them.

The organisers will present prizes to the top three finishers in ORC 1 and ORC 2, as well as recognising the overall winner of the general classification and the first mixed crew.

One of the most attractive awards will be the trophy for the fastest boat, which will be awarded to the boat that completes the entire course in the shortest time.

Entries open until 23 November

Teams wishing to take part must complete their registration via the official sailing website of the Real Club El Candado by 23 November 2026.

Fees vary depending on the date of registration and membership status with the organising club.

For registrations made before 11 November, the fees will be 160 euros for members and 240 euros for non-members. From that date onwards, the fees will increase to 240 and 320 euros, respectively.

It will also be necessary to pay a deposit of 150 euros, which will be refunded once the competition has ended in accordance with the conditions set by the organisers.

Participants must submit the required documentation, including measurement certificates, insurance policies, federation licences and relevant qualifications.

The skippers’ meeting will take place on Thursday 3 December at 7.00 pm at the Real Club El Candado.

A December event for cruising sailors

The 7th Vuelta Costa del Sol A2 will round off the early December racing calendar with an event that combines cruising, strategy and endurance.

Over three legs, Málaga, Sotogrande and Marina del Este will take centre stage in an event where crews must strike a balance between speed, safety and consistency.

As a scoring event for the Spanish A2 Cruiser Cup, the regatta aims to attract boats keen to compete in one of the most demanding formats in cruising sailing: double-handed sailing.