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History of the Ruta de La Sal
In May 1846 the siege of
Barcelona by the Carlist army during the
“Mariner’s Revolution” produced a shortage
of salt which put Barcelona into peril.
A known Barcelonese business man had the original idea of calling
on the most famous navigators of the time and presenting them
with a challenge: he would pay for the service of transporting
salt from the Pitiusas’s salt mines to El Garraf
( Barcelona) but according to the order of arrival. The first
to arrive would be paid in gold but the last ones would perhaps
not even be able to pay their mariner’s wages.
Thirteen boats met the challenge. The first to arrive was the
“Maltese Falcon“ a 32 meters long
schooner form Baltimore with the Greek Andreas Portus as skipper,
followed by the fishing smack “Jerba” and the brigantine
“Arrogante”.
 The regatta
In 1989 ANAM went ahead with the first
sporting edition of the Ruta de la Sal from the Barcelonese
Harbour Port Ginesta to the Pitiusas. 36 yachts took part in
this first regatta.
In 1990 participation doubled with 65 entered yachts. In 1991
the Eastern version of the regatta was created sailing from
Denia’s Nautical Club. Between the two versions 119 yachts
started out with one singe purpose: reaching the Pitiusas Islands.
From 1992 until now, the number of participants has
grown, constituting a real sociological phenomenon
among our country’s enthusiasts; from 136 yachts in 1992,
the number has been growing: 158 in 1994, 174 in 1995, 188 in
1996, 222 in 1997, 226 in 1998, 284 in 1999 until reaching a
record number in 2000 with more than 300 yachts.
The attraction
of adventure
Every year the Ruta de la Sal mobilizes more
than 2000 competitors and a really mixed boat fleet sails the
Mediterranean in commemoration of last century’s crossings
in search of white gold – The salt of life !
The Ruta de la Sal is the deep sea regatta
with the highest participation in the Mediterranean
and the most important thing is that it has maintained the fascination
of the first time.
The Ruta de la Sal is not an easy regatta.
The crossings are long and are undertaken in a time of year
which is meteorologically complicated. This
provides the attraction of adventure and the incentive of classifying
is in itself already a victory.
Great Success
The success of the Ruta de la Sal has been explosive, in terms
of participation as well as widespread coverage by the media.
It has become the most frequented and mystic regatta in the
calendar of Spanish regattas.
Institutional
support
From the very beginning the Ruta de la Sal
has had the support of the Consell Insular d’Eivissa
i Formentera, the Instituto Balear de Promoción
del Turismo and the Conselleria de Turisme
del Govern Balear which devote themselves to offer
the more than 3000 participants and accompanying parties who
come to Ibiza for the occasion a great stay. The town councils
of Barcelona, Denia and Ibiza also collaborate
with this nautical event.
The Spanish Merchant navy’s State company for
rescue and maritime security and the Sea Civil
Guard collaborate in the tasks of control and nautical
monitoring.
| Winners
La Sal 2008 - 2009 |
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| Winners
La Sal 1846 - 2006 |
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