Successful conclusion of the first phase of the 59th Great Day of Sailing -Bufete Frau at the CNA

The first phase of the 59th edition of the Great Day of Sailing - Bufete Frau has concluded this Monday at the Club Nàutic S'Arenal (CNA) after three intense days of regattas in the classes Optimist U11, Optimist D (initiation), IQ Foil, Techno 293, Musto Skiff and Formula Windsurf, which have taken place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with the participation of almost 200 sailors, the total of those registered in the aforementioned categories.

The third and last day started at 11:00 a.m., with a wind direction 230-235º with a predicted light intensity of around 5 knots. The Optimists started the first race at 12:30, whilst the Formula Windsurfers and the IQ Foils had to wait until 13:30 for the wind to pick up to be able to carry out the windward/leeward races. In any case, it was possible to carry out three races in each category, as planned, thanks to the fact that the wind finally picked up and remained at a direction of 200-205º and an intensity that increased to 14 or 15 knots, providing ideal conditions for sailing.

As a curious fact, at one point, almost the entire U11 Optimist fleet missed the wrong buoy shortly after the start, which caused the sailor who was first in the classification, Joan Palou, from the RNCP, to register a DNC and finish fourth in the overall classification, even though he was first in the last race. "It was a pity, because he was sailing very well, although it is also true that, in these categories, the classification is not the most important thing," said Joan Sabater, sports director of the CNA.

As for IQ Foil, in these three days of regattas, the 12 planned races have been held, both in slalom and 'course' disciplines. "Although the weather was not very windy at the beginning, it has been picking up to offer ideal conditions for sailing," explains Inés Cabrer, head of the Race Committee for this category. "The feeling of the fleet is very positive. They have been able to sail in conditions that are typical of the Bay, with a good breeze on all three days, and they are very happy. Let's hope that on Thursday everything goes just as well", he concludes.

For their part, the Musto Skiffs finished the races of this Great Day of Sailing yesterday, Sunday, although their trophy presentation will be held at the end of the week, at the conclusion of the meeting. Thus, the final classification of this class is headed by Justo Martínez, followed by Mario Barceló and, closing the podium, Jorge R. Martín.

After the races, at 16:00 hours, all the sailors were already ashore, waiting for the trophy presentation, which was held at 18:30h at the club's facilities, which offered the attendees refreshments with ice cream courtesy of La Menorquina and something to eat provided by Grillmeister.

FINAL CLASSIFICATION 

Optimist U11 (9 races): 1. Mary-Anne Osha (RCNP) / 2. Andrea Menarguez (CMSAP) / 3: Álex Martí (RCNPP)

Optimist D (9 races): 1. Nico Oliver (RCNP) / 2. Pol Oliver (RCNP) / 3. Sergi Riera (CNPC)

IQ Foil U17 (12 races): 1. Jorge Ruiz (CNA) / 2. Enric Patiño (CNA) / 3. Jordi Cerdà (CNA)

IQ Foil Open (12 races): 1. Juan Martínez (CNA) / 2. Gabriel Rigo (CNR) / 3. Enric Truyols (CNR)

Techno 293 (9 races): 1. Biel Martorell (CMSAP) / 2. Arian Castro (CNA) / 3. Joan Bruno (CNA)

Formula Windsurf (6 races): 1. Juan Manuel Gracia (CNA) / 2. Luis Vierna (CR Valmayor) / 3. Pedro Siquier (CNA)

Musto Skiff (5 races): 1. Justo Martínez (CNA) / 2. Mario Barceló (CNA) / 3. Jorge R. Martín (CNA)

The competition will resume in the middle of next week, with regattas from Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th August for the Optimist U13, Optimist U16, ILCA 4, ILCA 6 and 420 classes, with trials, when the final trophy presentation will also take place.

In total, more than 700 top-level sailors will participate in the meeting aboard 575 boats in the Optimist, 420, ILCA 6, ILCA 4, ILCA 4, Open IQ Foil, Techno 293, Formula Windsurf, Musto Skiff, lateen sailing and cruising classes. They will be representing dozens of sailing clubs from all over Spain. The overall winner of the regatta will have their name inscribed on the Rei en Jaume III Ciutat de Llucmajor Trophy.

Traditional sailing will also take centre stage at the event, with lateen sailing regattas being held on the second weekend, in Regatta, Llaüts and Open categories. The more social side of sailing will also have its moment, with regattas on 26 August for the cruiser class, which will compete in ORC. The event will also feature other parallel activities, including the XX Travesía Sa Milla CNA - Cala Blava, an emblematic open water swimming event that will take place on the 26th of August from 9am on the Es Caló beach, the proceeds of which will go to the ELA Balears association.

The Great Day of Sailing - Bufete Frau is the oldest regatta organized by the CNA and undoubtedly one of the most anticipated by sailing enthusiasts. It is one of the first regattas that were launched in the club, which faces it as a great celebration of the work done during the season. This great sporting and social event every year puts an end to the summer competitions and kicks off the new sporting season in the Balearic Islands.

The meeting, already consecrated in the regatta calendar of the Bay of Palma, is possible thanks to the collaboration of Bufete Frau. A company whose founder, José Frau Greenfield, has a historical relationship with the club in which he was formed and in which he has sailed since he was a child, achieving a not inconsiderable record, with titles such as Optimist world runner-up (1983), Spanish champion in Europe Class in 1984 and world runner-up in Europe Class in 1985. The family saga continued sailing in the CNA, so they are not only united by a commercial relationship, but also by an emotional one.