On October 17 and 18, the 51st edition of the Off Valparaíso Regatta took place at the Yacht Club de Chile in Recreo, Viña del Mar. The competition brought together nearly 400 sailors and 51 yachts, with the participation of delegations from five foreign naval academies.
The participation of Grupo de Empresas Navieras (GEN) as a sponsor of this traditional nautical event reflects its strong connection to the maritime sector and its commitment to initiatives that foster collaboration among institutions, strengthen relationships, and promote activities that highlight teamwork and cooperation.
Felipe Arriagada, CEO of GEN, stated:
“As a Group, we believe that the value of sports extends far beyond competition. Events such as the Off Valparaíso Regatta remind us of the importance of teamwork, discipline, commitment, and camaraderie, values that are also part of our organizational culture. Beyond the competition itself, it is especially meaningful to see how this activity brings together families and people from different generations around a shared passion, creating opportunities for connection that strengthen relationships among people.”
The competition featured seven categories: IRC Racing, IRC Cruiser 1, IRC Cruiser 2, IRC Classics, J/105, five-crew J/24 with genoa, and J/24 Naval Academies. Depending on the characteristics of the yachts and their respective classes, crews competed in Coastal and Windward-Leeward courses, testing their technical skills, preparation, and coordination at sea.
One of the highlights of this year’s edition was the participation of delegations from the naval academies of Argentina, Canada, Spain, Italy, and Brazil. Their presence encouraged the exchange of maritime experiences and contributed to strengthening ties among the participating institutions, reinforcing the international character of this sporting event.
In this regard, the race organizing officer, First Lieutenant Manuel Contreras, emphasized the significance of the competition, stating:
“The Off Valparaíso Regatta represents an important opportunity to test the capabilities of crews, strengthen teamwork, and promote the values of discipline, leadership, and camaraderie that are hallmarks of naval training.”
The event concluded with the awards ceremony, held on October 18 and presided over by Captain Juan Pablo Castro Brahm, Director of the Arturo Prat Naval Academy. The ceremony brought together participants, officers, and guests to recognize the most outstanding crews of the competition.
In this year’s edition, Fogonazo, a yacht sponsored by GEN, secured second place in the J/105 category, standing out for the coordination and commitment of its crew. Ricardo López, a crew member aboard Fogonazo, commented:
“This result was the outcome of a collective effort in which coordination, tactical decisions based on wind conditions, and the ability to adjust maneuvers from one race to the next were fundamental. Every crew member played a key role on board, remaining attentive to the captain’s instructions and responding with speed and composure, especially under the demanding sea conditions.”
With this latest edition, the Off Valparaíso Regatta reaffirms its position as a significant event for the nautical community, bringing together athletes and national and international institutions around competition, learning, and camaraderie.
For Grupo de Empresas Navieras, being part of this event represents an opportunity to support an activity directly linked to the maritime sector and to contribute to the development of spaces that encourage collaboration and connection among its stakeholders.
“As a Group, we will continue supporting and participating in initiatives that promote sports and help keep these values alive, values that are closely tied to our maritime tradition,” concluded Felipe Arriagada, CEO of Grupo de Empresas Navieras.
