Balearic sailor Daniel Capa wins the Optimist Spanish Championship

Nicolás Bastard, second by a single point, and Valentina Belso, Toni Rivas and Lola Carrión completed the list of national title winners. In the team competition, the national title went to Catalonia.

The Optimist Spanish Championship came to an end in the waters of El Abra (Getxo) after four days of racing marked by highly variable conditions, ranging from strong winds and rain in the opening days to a more summery final day that decided the national titles.

Organised by the Real Club Marítimo del Abra-Real Sporting Club on behalf of the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation, the championship brought together the best young sailors in Spanish grassroots sailing on a demanding racecourse that tested the fleet’s ability to adapt.

The final day was shaped by unstable winds, forcing the cancellation of an initial start before the seventh and final race of the championship could be completed in a north-easterly breeze of around 10 knots.

In the Under-16 boys’ category, Balearic sailor Daniel Capa, from Club Nàutic S’Estanyol, was crowned Spanish champion after seven races, in a very close standings table in which local sailor Nicolás Bastard (RCM Abra-RSC) finished second, just one point behind. The podium was completed by Jorge Benítez, from Reial Club Nàutic de Port de Pollença.

In the Under-16 girls’ category, victory went to Valentina Belso (RCN Torrevieja), who lived up to expectations and won convincingly after a solid performance throughout the championship. The top positions were completed by María Antonia Peñalver, María de Lluc, Clara Camps and Inés Rodado.

In the Under-13 boys’ category, the title went to Toni Rivas (CN Garraf), followed by Hugo Sarmiento and Damiá Galcera, while in the Under-13 girls’ category victory went to Lola Carrión (RCN Arrecife), joined on the podium by Alexia Sotomayor and Nikole Douglas.

In the team competition, the national title went to Catalonia, confirming its strength in youth sailing.

The 2026 Optimist Spanish Championship once again highlighted the high level and competitiveness of Spain’s youth sailing talent pool, in a key event for the development of the country’s future sailors.