More than a hundred young sailors participate in the CN Arenal Light Sailing Trophy Store

The Light Sailing Trophy Store, held this weekend in waters near Club Nàutic Arenal, has brought together more than a hundred young Balearic sailors from the Optimist and Optimist D classes in an event that combined competitiveness and camaraderie.

Saturday, November 16, began with the confirmation of registrations at the Regatta Office, followed by the first races starting at noon. During the day, conditions were marked by the lack of and instability of the wind, starting with a mere 5 knots from the east that shifted to the southeast, becoming increasingly unstable. Eventually, the day concluded with one race held out of the three scheduled for Optimist, while the youngest fleet, Optimist D, was able to carry out the three planned races.

By Sunday, November 17, the forecast predicted very little wind, although from 1 p.m. some breeze from the southwest began to register, with about 6 or 7 knots of intensity, which allowed the completion of a race for Optimist and another for Optimist D. From 3 p.m., the wind completely disappeared, forcing the Regatta Committee to suspend the rest of the scheduled races. The championship concluded with the corresponding trophy presentation in recognition of their effort and performance in the competition.

In the Optimist U16 category, the male winners were Dani Capa (CN S’Estanyol) in first place, Stijn Oosterhaven (CN Arenal) in second, and Xuacu García (CN Arenal) in third. In the female category, Nerea García-Faria (CVP Andratx) took first place, followed by Carmen Bestard (RCN Palma) and Gaia Veglia (CN S’Estanyol).

In Optimist U13, the male winners were Bruno Nueschen (CN Arenal), Luca Nueschen (CN Arenal), and Ian MauroVich (CN Ibiza), occupying first, second, and third place, respectively. Among the girls, Marta Vergés (CN Cala Gamba) took the gold, Claudia Carbonell (CN Arenal) the silver, and Carme Adrover (CN Rapita) the bronze.

In Optimist U11, the male winners were Miquel Llull (RCN Palma) in first place, Joan Orell (CN Cala Gamba) in second, and Mariano Martínez (RCN Palma) in third. In the female category, Elena Frutos (RCN Palma) was crowned champion, followed by Neus Sánchez (CN Arenal) and Maria Fluxá (CN Arenal).

Finally, in the Optimist D category, the best in the male competition were Timoteo Light (CVP Andratx), Marc Caldentey (CN Arenal), and Telmo Tienza (CN Arenal). In the female category, Mia Palmer (CN Arenal) took first place, Carlota de Villalonga Suárez (CN Arenal) second, and Carla Picornell (CN Cala Gamba) third.

“The atmosphere was festive, relaxed, and pressure-free, as the qualifiers for the Balearic Championship had ended and this regatta had a distinctly social character,” says Alex Duran, sports event coordinator at CNA. “From the club, we want to thank Light Sailing Store for their sponsorship and collaboration in the event. They have worked very hard and also, they held a raffle of ten packs of Optimist equipment for the participants and offered hot dogs to everyone after each day’s racing.”