Nacho Baltasar Receives a Hero's Welcome at His Club After Participating in the Paris Games

Dozens of people gathered on the afternoon of Thursday, August 8th, at the Club Nàutic Sa Ràpita to welcome back sailor Nacho Baltasar after his participation in his first Olympic Games in the Men's IQFoil event.

The club's Member's Room hosted this tribute, attended by Balearic authorities such as Pedro Vidal, the Regional Secretary of Sport and Culture; Toni Fuster, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Mallorca; Francisca Porquer, the Mayor of Campos; Jaume Vidal, Councilor for Sports of Campos; Rafael Adrover, Councilor for the Environment of Campos; María Obrador, Councilor of Sa Ràpita; Cati Darder, President of the Balearic Sailing Federation; along with members of the Board of Directors led by the President of the Entity, Pau Lladó; club colleagues, friends, and family of the sailor.

"I want to thank everyone for being here," began Baltasar, who admitted, "It has been a week of much suffering, but I hope you can help me overcome all this and prepare for the next campaign."

At just 19 years old, Nacho Baltasar, who represented Spain and Club Nàutic Sa Ràpita in the regatta field in Marseille, made it into the Medal Series at the last minute after scoring 13-5-3 in the last three races. However, Baltasar's dream of competing for an Olympic medal was cut short after a protest filed by a Swiss athlete, which moved him down to eleventh place, just three points shy of the Top Ten.

"It's been three years of hard work, and you all are the first to have seen me working in the water and in this gym of four walls," commented Baltasar, who after this experience, "can only think of situations to improve."

This young sailor has four years ahead to prepare for his next dream: the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. "I promise that more will come soon, that I will keep fighting, and that the medal will arrive," he said. Finally, Baltasar asked his family and friends, "If you see me sad, don't worry because all athletes see these situations as something to improve."

Pau Lladó, the president of the club, thanked Nacho "for representing us and carrying the club's flag to the Olympic Games, and I am sure that next time there will be a medal."

Moreover, the mayor of Campos, Francisca Porquer, acknowledged that "what you have made us feel and live is hard to surpass, so thank you very much," adding that it is a "pride to see the role you have played representing Sa Ràpita, Campos, and Ses Covetes."