On Saturday March 30 concluded the 36th edition of the Ruta de la Sal in the Club Nautico Sant Antoni de Portmany. It is a regatta with a fascinating history that attracts every year passionate sailors willing to face this not easy feat. The crossings are extensive and the season in which it takes place usually presents complicated weather conditions, which adds an adventurous charm and the incentive that simply qualifying is already a victory.

The origin of this regatta dates back to May 1846, in a period of salt shortage caused by the tax blockade in Barcelona during the Sailors’ Revolt, imposed by the Carlist army. This fact led a Barcelona businessman to summon the most intrepid sailors of the time to present them with a challenge: he would pay for the services of transporting salt from the Salinas Pitiusas to El Garraf, but with the condition that the order of arrival would determine the remuneration. The first ones to arrive would receive gold, while the last ones might not have enough reward to pay the crew. Thirteen boats signed up for this challenge, with the “Maltese Falcon”, skippered by the Greek Andreas Potrus, being the first to arrive.

It was not until 1989 that ANAM organized the First Sporting Edition of the Ruta de la Sal, from Port Ginesta to the Pitiüses, achieving the participation of 36 boats. Since then, the number of participants has been increasing, currently exceeding 2000 sailors who ply the waters of the Mediterranean to commemorate the voyages of the last century in search of the White Gold.