The Mama Optimist celebrates its 45th edition at CN Portitxol with a record number of sponsors

The Club Nàutic Portitxol (CNP) will host the Trofeo Mama Optimist S.M. La Reina this weekend, a legendary regatta for Optimist (under 11, under 13, and under 16) and Optimist D that celebrates its 45th edition this year.

Over two hundred sailors from various Balearic clubs will gather at the CNP on Saturday, June 15, and Sunday, June 16, to participate in this competition in the waters of Palma Bay, with three races per day for Optimist and two races per day for Optimist D. The event will conclude on Sunday afternoon with a large trophy ceremony, courtesy of the fifty companies sponsoring the event.

“We have broken the record for sponsors, which demonstrates the prestige of this regatta and how cherished it is by Balearic society. From the CNP, we want to thank everyone for their effort and collaboration in an event we do for and with the youngest sailors,” said Rafa Ibancos, CNP's sports director.

This is a very special regatta because it is the only one in the Balearic Islands where all participants receive a prize, and it is the first competition for many young sailors. The event owes its existence to Mestre Rafel Llinàs, a legendary sailing instructor and honorary club member, who had the idea nearly half a century ago to hold a regatta to get children hooked on sailing. To ensure that there were prizes for all participants and not just the winners, he convinced the mothers of the young sailors to find sponsors. The result has been a resounding success, with a large number of sponsors and exponential growth in participants, from around 40 in the early editions to the current 200.

“The name of the regatta honors the moms who strive every weekend to bring their children to the club to take their first steps in the fascinating world of sailing,” Ibancos notes, adding an interesting detail: “There is a special prize: a salad bowl that will go to the sailor who manages to win the Trofeo Mama Optimist three consecutive times or five times alternately.” No one has achieved this yet in its 44 editions.

The list of sponsors that make it possible for every child to have a prize in this regatta is very long and includes: Restaurante Club Nàutic Portitxol, Club Nàutic Port d’Andratx, Real Club Náutico de Palma, Nautimedia, Pasión por el Mar, Federación Balear de Vela, Autoridad Portuaria de Baleares (APB), Ports IB, Asociación de Navegantes ADN Mediterráneo, MercaNautic Segunda Mano, Construcciones Pasivas, Eroski, Accastillage Diffusion, Banco Sabadell, Hotel Portixol, Casa Calicó, Ca’n Sion, Instalaciones Guzmán, Radio-Taxi Palma Ciutat, Frialsa, Centro Dental, Xisca Mas, Xisco Castelló, Palma Aquarium, AquaBlue, Mercallantas, Bazar Las Palmeras, Trofeos Serra, Bosch & Lozano, Restaurante Sa Roqueta, Restaurante Hoyo 10, Pizza Nostra, Quely, Pinturas Clumba, Carnisseria Es Molinar, Rotger Consulting, Ajuntament de Palma - IME, Club de Mar, Club Marítimo San Antonio de la Playa, Clínica Dental Manedent, Tempestalia Escuela de Navegación, Folder, Marimón & Asociados, Unidad Mallorquina de Servicios, Gumersindo, Bar Restaurante Las Palmeras, Gemas Mallorca, Sea Connect, Floristeria Flors i Detalls, GM Inox, and Cavaco Sails.