From 30 October to 1 November, Badalona will be a focal point in the sailing world with the eighth edition of the Golden Cup Badalona. Organised by Enregata and the Club Náutico Altamar, with support from Marina Badalona, this event is regarded as one of the major highlights of the cruising calendar, bringing together nearly 300 sailors across around 60 teams.
This year, the Golden Cup Badalona aims to consolidate its successful model by maintaining a dual format for both offshore and inshore fleets. The regatta will kick off on Friday, 30 October, with the offshore race, featuring a 60 nautical mile course that starts and finishes at the waterfront of Badalona's port. On Saturday, 31 October, the inshore fleet will compete in two windward-leeward races off the Badalona coastline. Finally, on Sunday, 1 November, both fleets will come together for the final race: a coastal course of approximately 20 nautical miles, navigating between Badalona and Barcelona, which will conclude the event in style.
The Golden Cup Badalona will also count towards both the Ausmar Regatta Circuit and the Catalonia Offshore Championship, Solo and Double-handed. Organisers will establish two independent classifications: one combining the long and coastal races to declare the overall winner of the Golden Cup Badalona, and another for vessels participating in the windward-leeward races and the coastal regatta.
In line with its commitment to promoting more inclusive sailing, the event will maintain the Salina category, aimed at boats with at least 50% female crew members. Additionally, a new category, Youngsters, has been introduced for crews with at least one sailor under the age of 25, further encouraging the participation of younger generations in the competition.
The Mayor of Badalona, Xavier García Albiol, highlighted that “the Golden Cup is a magnificent opportunity to reaffirm Badalona's connection with the sea and once again confirm that the Badalona coastline is a fantastic space for sports and major competitions.” He noted that “for three days, the Port of Badalona will become a meeting point for hundreds of sailors, who will find in the city a privileged setting to compete.”
