Escalagde 2026 strengthens its cross‑border character
L’Escalagde – Veles d’Empúries celebrated its 22nd edition, establishing itself as one of the benchmark cruising regattas and as a sporting event that strengthens ties between the Catalan and French coastlines.
Beyond its sporting dimension, L’Escalagde highlights the deep relationship that l’Escala and Cap d’Agde maintain with the sea, two territories marked since Antiquity by their maritime vocation and by their role as spaces of Greco-Roman culture in the Mediterranean.
In this sense, the regatta also becomes a European cultural event, recalling and projecting the historical links between the two municipalities, while reinforcing their maritime connection and shared desire to preserve and celebrate this common heritage.
The regatta, jointly organized by Club Nàutic l’Escala and the Société des Régates d’Agde et du Cap (SORAC), brought together this year 59 boats and 114 sailors, who faced an offshore crossing of nearly 83 nautical miles between Cap d’Agde and l’Escala.
L’Escalagde began on Wednesday, May 13, in Agde with the skippers’ meeting and the crews’ reception, in an initial moment of exchange that marked the beginning of an atmosphere of camaraderie between Catalan and French sailors. The following day, Thursday, May 14, the start of the main race was given from Cap d’Agde, launching the offshore crossing towards the Costa Brava.
During the course, the crews had to deal with changing weather conditions, which tested the endurance, strategy, and adaptability of the participants. Arrivals at the port of l’Escala took place between Thursday afternoon and Friday, during a day marked by reunions and recovery.
The regatta ended on Saturday, May 16, with the coastal race – Veles d’Empúries Regatta, on a course between l’Escala and Empuriabrava, which made it possible to determine the final rankings in the different divisions.
Regarding the sporting results, the overall victory has gone to Mi Corazon, which has secured first place thanks to a solid and consistent performance throughout the day. Scheggia has finished in second place, maintaining a high competitive level during the entire regatta, while Protest has completed the podium with a third-place finish, reflecting the strong overall standard of the participating fleet.
Saturday concluded with the trophy presentation and closing ceremony at Club Nàutic l’Escala, with the participation of representatives of the organizing entities and collaborating institutions.
Once again, L’Escalagde reaffirmed its role as much more than a sporting competition, becoming a meeting place for sailors and a true bridge of cooperation between territories, built around the values of conviviality, sport, and passion for the sea.
The regatta benefited from the support of the Town Council of l’Escala, the Provincial Council of Girona, the Sports Department of the Generalitat of Catalonia, as well as the collaboration of the Federació Catalana de Vela, the French Sailing Federation, Port de la Generalitat, Sodéal, Tourism of Cap d’Agde, and Club Vela Golfus Empuriabrava.
Advertising:
