Preamble

The following norms apply to the Illas Atlánticas Triple Crown open water swimming contest that will take place from the Cíes Islands to Baiona, covering 15 km. They may be subject to changes since they are made public until the date of the contest. Should any doubt arise over the interpretation of this regulation, the view and decision of the organization will prevail. All registered participants fully accept this regulation and the disclaimer (see liability section).

Participation

Participation is open to all federated and non-federated swimmers of legal age and minors who will be 16 years old in 2026. Under-age swimmers must email to triplecoronaillasatlanticas@gmail.com the authorisation signed by their father, mother or legal guardian that they are able to take part in the event (see section Authorisation of minors). Once the documentation has been submitted, the organisers will decide, based on technical criteria, whether or not to authorise the participation of the minor and will notify them by e-mail.

Departure

The departure of the participants to the Cíes Islands will take place on Saturday 12 September at 07:00 from Baiona Maritime Station. The boat will leave at 07:30. Participants may leave on the ship a small bag they will be given the previous day with their tournament ID number to bring some of their belongings. There will also be a cloakroom service at the point of departure in Baiona in case the swimmers want to leave a second bag.
Both bags will be returned at the arrival on Ribeira beach, in Baiona.
The departure of the contest will take place from the beach of Rodas in the Cíes Islands.

Groups

The organisation will arrange 5 swimming groups according to the level of the participants in the registration for the beginning of the race. Each swimmer will provide the organisation with the time taken to swim 3,000 metres at sea crossing pace for the classification of the groups at the starting point. A sixth group may be created for security reasons.

The list of groups will be communicated by e-mail and on the website of the race. No changes will be admitted 15 days before the event.

Group changes are not allowed during the event.

The minimum swimming pace to participate in the crossing is 3 km/hour. Swimmers below this pace will not be admitted.

The number of swimmers in each group shall not exceed 40 swimmers.

No more swimmers above this number may be admitted. Once the quota for each group is filled according to the order of registration, the swimmer must wait for any changes or withdrawals to be able to do so; otherwise, they will have to adapt to the group in which they are initially registered.

The division of groups will be established in accordance with the following swimming times:

Pace at 3.000m

Group A (very fast) 32-39 m 1:18/100m
Group B 40-44m 1:28/100m
Group C 45-49m 1:38/100m
Group D 50-54m 1:48/100m
Group E 55-60m 2:00/100m

The leader of each group may change the swimming pace according to sea conditions.

Each swimmer must maintain the swimming pace established by the organization for each group until kilometer 8, and may be disqualified if they fail to do so or alter the pace.

Certification

When registering, the swimmer must certify his/her participation in at least one competition of a minimum of 10,000 metres or more in the last three years. They must specify the contest, distance, year and time.

The course

The swimmers must follow the beacons, signals and indications established by the organization and by the safety team of the contest.

Wetsuit

Wetsuit is compulsory. Swimmers who wish to take part in the event without a wetsuit must indicate so on the registration form, contact the organisers and send a curriculum vitae to the e-mail address triplecoronaillasatlanticas@gmail.com stating that they have experience in swimming without a wetsuit. The organisation will evaluate the documentation submitted and will inform the participant of the possibility of participating or not without neoprene.

Regulations on the use of swimsuits in the non-neoprene category.

Swimsuits must be breathable and made of common materials (lycra, cotton, nylon, etc.). Swimsuits made of neoprene or similar materials are prohibited. Swimsuits must be worn in a single layer (wearing one swimsuit over another is not permitted).

Men: Swimsuits must extend from the waist to above the knee. Swimsuits that reach the ankles are not permitted.

Women: Swimsuits must extend to the shoulders and above the waist. Swimsuits with long sleeves or that reach the ankles are not permitted.

Physical condition

Swimmers must be in perfect physical and mental health to complete the 15 km distance. A medical check-up prior to the event is recommended, especially for individuals with a history of cardiovascular, respiratory, or metabolic diseases.

Provisioning

Swimmers will have the possibility of getting provisions four times during the contest, in the 4, 8, 12 kilometres and at the goal. There will be support ships specifically marked that will provide fruit, gels, energetic drinks and food and water. They will also provide hot beverages, anti-seasickness drugs, vaseline and spare goggles. Provisioning stops are not compulsory.

Up to kilometre 8 (included), the members of each group will do the provisioning at the same time. Provisioning stops to this point will have a maximum duration of 3 minutes. Provisioning stop at kilometer 12 is not mandatory, but swimmers must pass through this point at a distance of more than 10 meters or they will be disqualified.

Provisioning will be provided by the organization and no other provisioning will be allowed. Only provisioning dispensed from the organization’s boats will be allowed.

At each provisioning stop, the swimmers will leave together until kilometer 8 and will not be allowed to leave before the entire group arrives.

During provisioning stop, participants are allowed to lean on the boat with one or both hands. Climbing onto the boat, either partially or completely, is prohibited. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification.

Grouping

The swimmers will stay together until kilometer 8 (before the Estelas Islands) and from there on, each swimmer can set their own pace without having to follow the pace of their group to the finish line. This point coincides with the second provisiong stop of the race. At kilometer 8, the swimmers in each group must regroup, and from then on, it will be open. Swimmers who do not regroup will be disqualified.

A participant who disrupts the pace of the group, either by arriving early or late to the aid stations, may be disqualified, and will be disqualified after receiving two warnings.

Time limits for passage

Because the crossing takes place in the entrance channel of the Vigo estuary, and in accordance with the requirements set by the Vigo Maritime Authority, the organizers will establish time limits for passing through the first two checkpoints. If swimmers have not passed through these points within the times established by the organizers, they will be taken aboard support vessels.

First provisioning (4 km):

Group E: Cut-off time: 10:30 h
Group D: Cut-off time: 10:50 h
Group C: Cut-off time: 11:05 h
Group B: Cut-off time: 11:10 h
Group A: Cut-off time: 11:10 h

Second provisioning (8 km):

Group E: Cut-off time: 12:35 h
Group D: Cut-off time : 12:45 h
Group C: Cut-off time: 12:55 h
Group B: Cut-off time: 13:15 h
Group A: Cut-off time: 13:15 h

Minimum time and ending of the contest

The maximum time for the completion of the race will be 6:30 hours. If the organisers deem it necessary due to adverse weather conditions, delays at the start, etc., the closing time may vary depending on the state and conditions of the sea.

Once this time has elapsed, the organisers will withdraw the participants who have not completed the race.

Controls

There will be six mandatory controls throughout the contest for every swimmer. They will be located at 4, 8 and 12 kilometres and they will also be the provisioning stops. The swimmers must pass at a distance of no more than 10 meters. The swimmers that fail to go through the controls will disqualified.

Safety buoy

The use of the safety buoy with watertight compartment will be compulsory for all participants where they will carry the GPS device inside. It is strictly forbidden to open it during the race. Each swimmer will bring their own safety buoy. The organisation will offer discounts for the purchase of buoys to swimmers.

GPS tracking device

Swimmers will be monitored by a GPS device, which must be carried inside the buoy, which will allow the geolocation and tracking of each participant through the Internet. Each swimmer will be responsible for the correct use of the device. Swimmers must return the GPS device at the finish line at the end of the competition. If any participant does not return it, they will be charged the full amount (130 euros + VAT). The organisers will explain how this device works during the technical meeting to be held the day before the race in Baiona. The GPS will be delivered with the swimmer’s bag and must be returned at the finish line with the electronic chip.

Electronic chips

The timing of the race will be electronic. The organisation will deliver the chip with the swimmer’s bag at the technical meeting to be held on September 11th in Baiona. The use of the chip is compulsory to participate in the race. Swimmers must return the chip at the end of the competition. Failure to return the chip will result in the participant having to pay for it (8 euros).

Kayak guide

The lead kayaks will set the pace for each group until kilometer 8. From this point on, each swimmer can set their own pace to the finish line. No swimmer may overtake the lead kayak until kilometer 8; doing so may result in disqualification.

Safety at sea

The organisers will implement a wide range of safety measures at sea, coordinated by the race safety officer and the race management, who will be in permanent contact with the Vigo Maritime Harbour Master’s Office and the Port Authority of Vigo.
The organisation will be assisted by the Val Miñor Emergency Services, Guardia Civil del Mar (Maritime Civil Guard), Search and Rescue of Galicia, Gardacostas de Galicia (Galician Coastguard), Parque Nacional das Illas Atlánticas de Galicia (National Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia) and Search and Rescue Vigo Estuary.
The safety boats will be those designated by the organisation. No other boat will be allowed to accompany any swimmer during the crossing.

Buoys

Six buoys will be placed along the course to aid navigation at sea. Swimmers must pass close to the buoys at a distance of no more than 10 meters, in the following order:

1st Right (near the islet of Viñes)
2nd Left (near San Martiño beach, southern Cíes Island)
3rd and 4th Left (entrance and exit of the Estelas passage)
5th Right
6th Right (near the Baiona Maritime Station)

Arrival at the end of the race

The order of arrival out of the water will be the classification, therefore, you are not allowed to run or overtake between the stretch of water and the carpet of detection of time. The order of arrival out of the water will be followed, walking to the timing mat for time taking.

The organisers will establish a point on the shore at Ribeira beach from which no swimmer may run or overtake once they reach the shore; otherwise they will be disqualified.
At the finish line, swimmers must hand in their GPS and electronic chip and will be allowed access to the refreshment area.

Results

The results will be available live and exclusively on the website www.magmasports.es.

Trophy awards

The organisation will award the following trophies:

-Trophies and gifts provided by the sponsors and partners to the first three absolute finishers in the male and female categories and to the first three finishers without neoprene (male and female).
-Trophie for the first local swimmer

Swimmers who complete the race will receive an award and a certificate.

The awards ceremony will take place once the crossing has finished on Ribeira beach. The awards ceremony for the swimmers who manage to complete the race will take place during the dinner in Baiona.

Right of admission

The right of admission is recognised in article 59.1.e) of Royal Decree 2816/1982, of 27 August, which approves the General Regulations on Policing of Entertainment and Recreational Activities, extending its scope to all types of facilities open to the public, regardless of whether they are public or private ownership. The organisers reserve this right and the possibility of cancelling the registration of any participant when they deem it appropriate.

Swimmers withdraw

The event’s safety team may remove a swimmer from the competition if they believe that their physical capabilities are impaired, they are inconsistent, they show symptoms of hypothermia, or they repeatedly fall behind, endangering safety.

Disqualifications

-Using any type of boat or auxiliary means.
-When the organisation considers that a participant is putting his or her physical integrity at risk, he or she must abandon the crossing.
-Swimmers failing to pass through the obligatory checkpoints.
-Swimmers failing to pass through the obligatory checkpoints within the times established by the organisers.
-Swimmers passing through the buoys placed during the course incorrectly and at a distance of more than 10 metres.
-Swimmers who run once they have reached the shore to pass through the finish arch.
-Swimmers displaying non-sporting behaviour or failing to abide by the rules of the organisation.
-Any other circumstance not provided for in these regulations but which, in the opinion of the organisers, is grounds for disqualification.

The organisation reserves the right to disqualify and veto the participation in successive editions of any swimmer who does not abide by the decisions of the organisation or shows inappropriate or disrespectful behaviour towards any member of the organisation or

Modification or suspension ot the event

The organisers reserve the right to delay the start, modify, neutralise or cancel the race due to safety reasons, force majeure (fog, waves, extreme wind, storm, portuguese caravels etc.) under alert from the competent maritime authorities and/or adverse weather conditions. If the start takes place, the race will be considered as completed, even if it is suspended during the race.

In the event of the race having to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, the registration fee will not be refunded.

Registration fees will not be refunded, participant expenses will not be covered, and no other day in the same year will be proposed for its celebration.

If weather conditions prevent the crossing from taking place, an alternative 15 km route within the Bay of Baiona will be offered.

These regulations may be modified or amended by the organisers in order to ensure that the event runs as smoothly as possible.

Once the registration has been made, the participant agrees with these regulations and the commitment to safety and responsibility of the race.