May 23 and 24 Spectacular sailing regatta from La Manga to Portmán

More than 50 craft set off around Cabo de Palos from the Puerto Tomás Maestre in La Manga

This year’s 15^th edition of the “Regata Solidaria Carburo de Plata” (a fundraising event named after silver acetylide, a reference to the substances mined in the past in the area between Cartagena and La Unión), sees more than 50 boats setting out from the Puerto Tomás Maestre La Manga del Mar Menor on a two-day course during which they have to navigate around the headland of Cabo de Palos and the Isla Hormigas, cause of numerous shipwrecks in days gone by.

The historic event is held to commemorate the 309-year-old “Cuerpo de Intendencia” of the Spanish Navy and is widely recognized as one of the highest-level competition on the calendar in Spain. The test is a very difficult one for sailors, with speed in hoisting the spinnaker and the use of the Genoa sail crucial for maximising speed.

One of the favourites is the Nemox BNFIX X-37 manned by the Romero brothers, although they fase stiff competition from local crews sailing out of San Javier and Cartagena as they know the local breezes well.

Funds raised this year are to be donated to the Asociación Nuestra Señora del Carmen, which is devoted to the wellbeing of families who have lost sailors serving in the Navy.

For more local events, news and visiting information contact the tourist offices of San Javier (main contact number 661 572285) or go to the home page of San Javier Today