Club Nàutic S’Arenal kicks off the 60th edition of the GRAN DÍA DE LA VELA – BUFETE FRAU

This Thursday, August 22, Club Nàutic S’Arenal (CNA) hosted the presentation of the 60th edition of the Gran Día de la Vela - Bufete Frau, a very special sports and social event for the club and all nautical enthusiasts in the Balearic Islands, which this year reaches a historic dimension by celebrating its 60th anniversary.

The sixtieth edition of the CNA's most emblematic and oldest regatta will take place from August 24 to September 1. The races will start this Saturday, August 24, and will continue until Monday, August 26, to resume next Thursday, August 29, until Sunday, September 1, when the trophy ceremony will take place.

This special edition will feature more than 580 boats, on board of which a very diverse representation of athletes from nine autonomous communities will navigate, from young promises to great figures established in this discipline. In the sports field, the event will include races for the Optimist, 420, Ilca 6, Ilca 4, Open IQ Foil, Techno 293, Formula Windsurf, Musto Skiff classes, and as a novelty, the adapted sailing class Acces, absent in the last editions due to organizational and scheduling issues. There will also be races for ORC Cruiser and Latin Sail, a 60th Anniversary Commemorative Regatta, and a Gala Dinner on August 31, in addition to the XXI Sa Milla CNA - Cala Blava swimming crossing.

The official presentation of this 60th edition was attended by Jordi Castro (FBV), Eladi Huertas (Fundació Esport Balear), Xisca Lascolas (mayor), and María Inmaculada Pérez (Sports Councilor of the Llucmajor City Council), Miranda Corral (Sa Calma Boats), and Toni Frau (Bufete Frau), as well as, from the club, the sailing committee member, Ricard Alabau; the manager, Ferran Muniesa; and the president, José Ramón Picó.

"Today more than ever we are filled with pride as we celebrate six decades of history, passion, and competition around our favorite sport," Muniesa began during the presentation. "This anniversary is not just a number. It reflects the tradition, effort, and commitment of so many people who have made it possible for the Gran Día de la Vela to remain an essential appointment in the sports calendar, both locally and nationally. Sixty years ago, those who dreamed of this regatta could not have imagined that we would get here, becoming one of the most representative events of sailing in our islands," he observed.

"With the aim of making a mark on this 60th edition, we asked our partner Miguel Sánchez Cuenca Capi, who, in addition to being a renowned meteorologist and sailing coach, has also developed his passion for painting in recent years, to somehow represent the 60 editions of this great event. We are very proud to present this magnificent painting from which we will deliver a lithograph to the winners of each class," Muniesa highlighted, thanking the sponsors for their support, as well as the collaboration of the Balearic Sailing Federation, the Balearic Government, the Llucmajor City Council, the Reial Club Nàutic de Palma, and the Club Náutico San Antonio de la Playa.

For his part, the president of the CNA, José Ramón Picó, stressed that "this is a moment of great pride for our institution, as we celebrate six decades of passion for sailing, healthy competition, and camaraderie among all of us who share the love for the sea. Since its creation, the Gran Día de la Vela - Bufete Frau trophy has been much more than just a regatta, it has been a tradition, a date marked on the Balearic nautical calendar that brings together the best sailors of light sailing and cruising classes. This trophy has grown to become an excellence regatta of our club, marking the end of summer with its celebration every last weekend of August. Over these 60 years, we have seen how this event has evolved, adapting to the times and attracting an ever-increasing number of participants from all over Spain. But what has remained constant is the spirit that drives it: the passion for sailing and the community that forms around this sport," Picó emphasized, reminding that "sailing is a sport that is experienced as a team, and that is why we have organized a series of social events so that everyone can enjoy this unique experience. Our goal is that both sailors and loved ones feel that they are part of this great family that is Club Nàutic s’Arenal," he concluded.

Toni Frau, from Bufete Frau, a collaborating company that has been supporting this event as the main sponsor for 16 years, also spoke. This year, Sa Calma Boats joins as a silver sponsor, along with other collaborating companies such as La Menorquina, Marine Pool, Quely, Life & Sea, Vela Ligera Store, Vell Marí, and Robline. During hisspeech, Frau recalled his experiences as a regatta participant in this event. "I am very proud, on behalf of my father, sister, and mother, to be part of this family of sailors, as well as this family of collaborators and people who support this regatta, which is very important in my personal calendar and especially for the Optimist calendar. I have never been to any regatta that combines fun and competitiveness so well," he asserted. "Hopefully, for many years to come, more people will join and this regatta will continue to grow," he concluded.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Llucmajor, Xisca Lascolas, mentioned the exhibition of historical photographs that the CNA has set up in its facilities and emphasized that "this club is a place that brings us values related to sport, education, the environment, and love for the sea. I hope these 60 years are multiplied by many more, that sponsors and collaborators continue to join, that it becomes a day or a week marked in the sailing calendar for everyone, and that it keeps growing," she concluded.