Coaches Take Center Stage at the ‘Nit de la Vela’ Gala of the Balearic Sailing Federation

Two hundred people gathered this Friday at the "Palma Centre Port" (institutional building of the Balearic Port Authority) for the "Nit de la Vela 2024" Gala of the Balearic Sailing Federation (FBV), where tribute was paid to Balearic sailors who have excelled in national and international competitions during 2024.

A total of 139 athletes were recognized, from classes including 420, Optimist, 49er, 49er FX, Cruiser, Hansa, ILCA, IQFoil, Snipe, J70, J80, Kitefoil, Raceboard, Techno 293, Tornado, Windsurf, and Wingfoil. The event, presented by Bárbara Besalduch, a well-known figure in the Balearic sailing community, was attended by sailing authorities and personalities, representatives of nautical clubs and the sea, including Balearic Olympic sailor Nacho Baltasar, who shared his experience at the recent Paris Olympics.

The President of the APB, Javier Sanz, opened the gala as the representative of the host entity. "We are very proud to celebrate this great festivity of Balearic sailing," he declared in his speech, emphasizing that "the Balearics are at the forefront of national sailing and are a worldwide reference. These young sailors have taken the name of the Balearics to the highest level in a particularly exciting year, being an Olympic year," he highlighted.

Cati Darder, president of the FBV, also spoke, focusing her speech on the coaches, "those figures who are there every day, training, competing, and traveling, preparing, planning, and supporting each sailor. Coaches do not wear medals or lift trophies, but they are the heart and soul of every victory, the silent engine that drives our sailors to reach further. Without seeking visibility or protagonism, they are there every day helping athletes fulfill their dreams. To all coaches, on behalf of all the sailors and the Federation, thank you," concluded Darder, who also expressed the FBV's support for sailors Neus Ballester, Paula Barceló, and Silvia Mas, who are currently competing in the Women's America's Cup. Darder also thanked the nautical clubs, sailors, sponsors, and institutions for their role in making the Balearic one of the best federations in Spain.

The president of the FBV was responsible for presenting a special award to Nacho Baltasar, the silver badge of the entity, who thanked the Federation "for everything it has done for all sailors, from a young age." The Olympian also focused his speech on the figure of the coach, "a key piece for all sailors, especially me, who am a wild horse and the coaches have guided me on the right path. Thanks to them, we have learned more than we ever could have imagined and have grown as athletes and as people," he emphasized.

The highlight of the evening was the recognition of Toni Mascaró, a historic trainer and coach who retired this year as the head sports official for light sailing at Club Nàutic Ciutadella. The technical director of the FBV, Jordi Castro, was responsible for presenting his award, after highlighting his figure as "a benchmark who has influenced most of us coaches." Mascaró emphasized "the affection and friendship of the clubs and sailors, which is really what I take from this world."

Throughout the gala, the tribute to the coaches was ever-present, and in fact, they were invited to join the athletes on stage to collect their awards. The prizes for Neus Ballester and Paula Barceló, who are competing these days in the Women's America's Cup, were collected by the presidents of their respective clubs.

The Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sports, Jaume Bauzà, closed the event by emphasizing that "Balearic sailing has an excellent level and is a leader both nationally and internationally, with prominent names in all modalities and, once more, with representation at the Olympics. It is the sport that has the most outstanding athletes in the Balearics, by far," he assured. "Balearic sailing is in great health thanks to the level of the coaches and technicians and because it has a very defined structure that allows those who practice it to stay connected to sailing, in one way or another, all their life," said Bauzà, who stressed the role of the FBV as key to this success. He also noted that "sailing is a key element for tourism deseasonalization."