Massive Turnout at the 45th Mama Optimist Trophy at Club Nàutic Portitxol

This weekend, 170 young sailors from various clubs in the Balearic Islands gathered at Club Nàutic Portitxol (CNP) to participate in the 45th edition of the Mama Optimist Trophy S.M. La Reina.

This legendary regatta for Optimist classes (under 11, under 13, and under 16) and Optimist D is unique in the Balearic Islands, as all participants receive a prize. It is traditionally the first competition for many young athletes.

The races were held with a southerly wind, and although Sunday's events started with a delay due to weather conditions, four races were eventually completed for Optimist D and three for each group of Optimist sailors.

The overall winner of the 45th Mama Optimist Trophy S.M. La Reina was Stijn Oosterhaven (CN Arenal). Despite being in the under-16 category, he is only 13 years old, which gives him a chance to win the special prize reserved for a sailor who wins the Mama Optimist Trophy three consecutive times or five times alternately. So far, in its 45-year history, no one has achieved this feat, although some sailors have come very close.

Following Oosterhaven, Xuacu García (CN Arenal) and Jorge Benítez (RCN Puerto de Pollença), the 2023 winner, completed the podium.

The event concluded on Sunday afternoon with a large award ceremony, courtesy of the 50 sponsors who supported the initiative. This year, the record number of sponsors highlighted the regatta's prestige and appreciation in Balearic society.

This iconic regatta was conceived by Mestre Rafel Llinàs, a legendary sailing instructor and honorary member of the club. Nearly half a century ago, he envisioned a regatta that would get young sailors hooked on sailing. To ensure prizes for all participants, not just the winners, he persuaded the mothers of young sailors to find sponsors. The result was a huge success, reflected in the vast number of sponsors and the exponential growth of participants, from about 40 in the early years to nearly 200 today. Notably, Mestre Llinàs' son, Emiliano Llinàs, participated in this edition as Race Officer, overseeing the competition on the water.

The long list of sponsors that make it possible for every participant to receive a prize includes: Accastillage Diffusion, Ajuntament de Palma - IME, AquaBlue, Asociación de Navegantes ADN Mediterráneo, Autoridad Portuaria de Baleares (APB), Banco Sabadell, Bar Restaurante Las Palmeras, Bazar Las Palmeras, Bosch & Lozano, Ca’n Sion, Carnisseria Es Molinar, Casa Calicó, Cavaco Sails, Centro Dental, Clínica Dental Manedent, Club de Mar, Club Marítimo San Antonio de la Playa, Club Nàutic Port d’Andratx, Construcciones Pasivas, Eroski, Federación Balear de Vela, Floristeria Flors i Detalls, Folder, Frialsa, Gemas Mallorca, GM Inox, Gumersindo, Hotel Portixol, Instalaciones Guzmán, Marimón & Asociados, Mercallantas, MercaNautic Segunda Mano, Nautimedia Comunicación, Palma Aquarium, Pasión por el Mar, Pinturas Clumba, Pizza Nostra, Ports IB, Quely, Radio-Taxi Palma Ciutat, Real Club Náutico de Palma, Restaurante Club Nàutic Portitxol, Restaurante Hoyo 10, Restaurante Sa Roqueta, Rotger Consulting, Sea Connect, Tempestalia Escuela de Navegación, Trofeos Serra, Unidad Mallorquina de Servicios, Xisca Mas, and Xisco Castelló.