25th Memorial Nacho Fernández comes to an end after 25 years of spearfishing history

Ibiza hosted the final edition of the Memorial Nacho Fernández on October 31st, a competition that brought together 26 teams from the Balearic Islands and marked the end of a quarter-century of sporting history.

The 25th Memorial Nacho Fernández spearfishing competition took place in Ibiza on October 31st. This edition was particularly significant, as it marked the definitive farewell to an event that, for 25 years, has served as a meeting point for spearfishing enthusiasts and athletes across the Balearic Islands.

Organised by C.A.S. S’Embarcador, the championship brought together 26 teams for a day marked by excellent weather conditions, crystal-clear waters and the stunning natural surroundings of Ibiza's southwestern coast, in the municipality of Sant Josep. The competition took place in an atmosphere of sportsmanship and camaraderie among participants from different parts of the archipelago.

The event featured prominent figures from the spearfishing world, including Malen Sart and Samuel Tomás, as well as several members of the team recently crowned European champions in Montenegro. Among them were Marco Caballero, Raúl Astorga, European runner-up Óscar Cervantes and reigning European champion Óscar Hidalgo.

Following the competition, the municipal marquee in Sant Rafel hosted the weighing of the catches and the announcement of the winners. The team consisting of Andrés Vázquez, Alejandro Vázquez and Raúl Aguiló claimed victory, scoring a total of 57,175 points.

Second place went to Óscar Cervantes, Óscar Hidalgo and Samuel Tomás, with 56,120 points, while Marcos Tur, Marc Tur and Diego Ponce completed the podium with 52,840 points.

Meanwhile, the prize for the largest fish of the championship went to the team of Paco Cervantes, Xicu Juan and Andrés Martín, thanks to their catch of a 4,420-gram white grouper.

Beyond the sporting competition, the Memorial maintained its traditional charitable spirit. Following a raffle among attendees, the fish caught during the competition were donated to the Associació de Majors de Sant Rafel. The event was attended by athletes, enthusiasts, local residents and institutional representatives.

The day concluded with a celebration at Hotel Puchet in Sant Antoni de Portmany, bringing together nearly 200 people connected to the world of spearfishing. Attendees included competitors, former spearfishers, members of the Balearic Federation and supporters who have contributed to the championship's history.

The evening featured a dinner of traditional bullit de peix, entertainment, a trophy presentation for all participants and various tributes. The speeches and recognitions added a particularly emotional touch to a celebration that looked back on the most memorable moments from the Memorial's 25 editions.

In this way, the Memorial Nacho Fernández officially brings its 25-year history to a close, having united several generations of spearfishers and established itself as one of the leading events in the discipline across the Balearic Islands. Its final edition marked the end of a competition that leaves behind a significant sporting and personal legacy.