Balearic sailors ready for challenge at the European 49er, 49er FX and Nacra 17 Championships

Ten Spanish crews will compete from tomorrow in Germany, with the reigning world silver medallists among the favourites for the continental title.

The European Championships for the 49er, 49er FX and Nacra 17 classes get underway this Monday, 6 July, in Eckernförde, bringing together many of the world's top sailors in the three Olympic classes. Spain will be represented by ten boats across the three fleets, featuring the Real Federación Española de Vela pre-Olympic squad, reinforced by several crews from the federation's 2032 team.

Spain's leading medal hope is once again the crew of reigning world silver medallists and 2025 champions Paula Barceló, from Club Nàutic s’Arenal, and María Cantero (RCN Gran Canaria), who arrive at the European Championship aiming to challenge for another podium finish.

Their coach, two-time Olympic 49er medallist Xabi Fernández, is clear about the team's ambitions: "Our objective, here and at every championship, is to reach the final day with a chance of winning the title. That was our philosophy when I competed, and it remains exactly the same now from the other side."

Following the World Championship, Barceló and Cantero took a two-week break before completing a month of training in Santander alongside teammates Alicia Fras and Elena Barrio.

"The work is done. We arrive with good speed, no physical issues and a lot of confidence. This is a very particular race venue, almost like a fjord, where adapting quickly to the conditions will be crucial, especially with winds that can be very tricky. After the Europeans, we'll begin a new phase by travelling to Los Angeles to start familiarising ourselves with the future Olympic venue," Fernández explained.

Spain's pre-Olympic squad in the 55-boat 49er FX fleet is completed by Patricia Suárez (RCN Vigo) and Melania Henke, from Real Club Náutico de Palma, as well as Alicia Fras and Elena Barrio (RCN Gran Canaria). They are joined by the young 2032 team pairing of Stella Maris Enríquez (RCN Vigo) and Nicola Sadler, from Club Nàutic s’Arenal.

In the 97-boat 49er fleet, defending champions Martín Wizner and Jaime Wizner (RCN Vigo) return to defend their title, alongside teammates Conrad Konitzer, from Club Nàutic s’Arenal, and Antonio Torrado (RCN Torrevieja). Also competing are the young 2032 team crews of Ian Walker, from Club Nàutic s’Arenal, and Zsombor Denes (RCN Gran Canaria), together with brothers Alex Marsans and Pol Marsans (CN Arenys de Mar), who continue to build valuable experience at the highest international level.

Spain's Nacra 17 campaign will be led by Joan Cardona, from Real Club Náutico de Palma, sailing with Nicole van der Velden, alongside 2032 team siblings Dani García de la Casa and Nora García de la Casa (CN El Masnou), who arrive after an impressive performance at Kiel Olympic Week. Both crews will compete in a fleet of 39 catamarans, aiming to secure a place in the gold fleet.

Racing begins tomorrow, Tuesday 7th of July, and continues until Sunday 12th of July.

The 49er and 49er FX classes will feature an opening qualifying series, followed by gold, silver and bronze fleet finals before the Medal Series, while the Nacra 17 fleet will contest a single qualifying series. Up to three races are scheduled each day, with the championship concluding with the Medal Series, two decisive races reserved for the top ten teams in each class.

The activities of the Real Federación Española de Vela and its national teams, including the pre-Olympic squad and the 2032 team, are made possible thanks to the support of a strong network of institutions and companies committed to sailing, the sport that has delivered more Olympic gold medals to Spain than any other.

The federation is sponsored by Iberdrola, Quirónprevención and Loterías y Apuestas del Estado. Its institutional partners include the Consejo Superior de Deportes, the Comité Olímpico Español and Universo Mujer, together with the Autoridad Portuaria de Santander and the Government of Cantabria (through the Department of Culture, Tourism and Sport, Sport Cantabria and the Regional Society for Culture and Sport). Official suppliers are Azul Marino, Nippon Express, Murimar Seguros, Marinepool and Enovis, while institutional collaborators include ADESP and World Sailing.