The Balearic Snipe fleet competes against the best nationals for the Armada Trophy

Six countries and ten autonomous communities are competing for the Armada Trophy in the Snipe class, among them the Balearic crews made up of Damián Borras and Sara Franceschi from Club Marítimo Mahón, Luca Bruggioni from Club Marítimo San Antonio de la Playa and his partner Mar Correa (RCN Motril), Fernando Velarde and Jorge Díaz from Real Club Náutico de Palma, and Pablo Martínez and Ignacio Giménez from Reial Club Nàutic Port de Pollença.

The Real Club de Regatas de Santiago de la Ribera faces the most important event in its sporting calendar from Tuesday 5th December until Friday 8th December. With the registration of participants on this first day, the curtain rises on the Spanish Armada Trophy for the Snipe class, which celebrates its 44th anniversary in 2023. The regatta is framed with the Almirante Sánchez Barcaiztegui; Azor Ambiental; Memorial Paco Pérez trophies, forming part at the same time of the National Circuit of the Snipe Class.

This regatta is a classic among "snipistas" and therefore one of the most important in the snipe class calendar. Proof of this is the very high participation, with about 65 boats, or what is the same: 130 sailors competing in Santiago de la Ribera for three days. Six countries (Belgium, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland and Spain) and ten autonomous communities (Asturias, Balearic Islands, Melilla, Andalusia, Castilla-León, Navarra, Valencia, Galicia, Madrid and Murcia) are present in San Javier.

The favourites will compete for this prestigious trophy, with these three days and eight races in the portfolio. Los Fresneda, Pablo, Alejandro and Martín, from CM Almería, together with the Balearic sailors Damián Borras and Sara Franceschi (CM Mahón); Nelido Manso and Laura Morata (RCN Valencia); Manu Hens and Alexandre Tinoco (RYCB); Roberto Bermúdez (RCN A Coruña); Fabio Bruggioni and Andre Rosa Bruggioni (RCN Madrid); the Portuguese António and Miguel Pinheiro (CNOCA), as well as the locals Paco and Marina Sánchez (RCR Santiago de la Ribera), and the Murcian Juanma Barrionuevo and Alejandro Díaz (CN Los Nietos) or the mixed tandem Luca Bruggioni (CM C'an Pastilla) and Mar Correa (RCN Motril) are all candidates to be on the podium next Friday.

The forecasts are looking good, but given the time of year and the weather it is very unpredictable. The committee has planned eight races, no more than three per day, so if the wind conditions allow it, the first two days can be closed with three races each and two on the last day.