The Balearic fleet ready to revalidate the title in the Palamós Optimist Trophy

The 34th Palamós Optimist Trophy-17 Nations Cup will once again have record numbers, that is to say 550 boats, the limit set by the organization in charge of the Club Nàutic Costa Brava/Vela Palamós.

This great sailing spectacle will be held from the 15th to the 18th February in the waters of the Bay of Palamos, with the participation of sailors from 24 countries from America, Europe and Asia. Among them 25 Balearic sailors from Club Nàutic S'Arenal, Reial Club Nàutic Port de Pollença, Club Marítimo San Antonio de la Playa and Club Nàutic Cala Gamba.

If last year the Opening Ceremony, in which more than half a thousand sailors and companions participated, was held along the Passeig de Mar, this year the parade will be in the center of town. It will be this Wednesday February 14th at 17.30 hours with departure from the Arbreda, Cervantes Street, Major Street and arrival at the Village located in the Platja Gran.

The Palamós Optimist Trophy is the second competition with the largest number of boats, only surpassed by the Lake Garda Meeting Optimist Class, which has a thousand, held in the waters of Lago di Garda, but with a different concept, since not all boats compete at the same time. In Palamós they do, with five consecutive starts for each race.

The following countries will participate in the Palamós Optimist Trophy: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Great Britain, Slovenia, Spain, United States, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden and Ukraine.

The 2023 edition was won by the Balearic Hugo Rodriguez (RCN Palma). This year the Catalan, Iker Mújika (CN Cambrils) fifth last year in Palamós and this year has won this year's Optimist Excellence Cup, the Regatta City of El Puerto and Euromarina Optimist Torrevieja. And also his club mate Joan Domingo, baches champion of Spain, winner of the City of Palma Trophy and second last year in Palamos. It also highlights the participation of the Alicante Mateo Carbonell (CN Jávea), bronze in the last European Championship.

The races will start on Thursday 15th and will end on February 18th. The fleet will be divided into five groups: Gold, Silver, Bronze, Emerald and Pearl.