CNA’s ‘Sal’ wins the Women’s J80 European Championship in the Abra

The Club Nàutic s’Arenal crew, made up of Cati Darder, Marisa Vicens, Helena Alegre, Inés Fernández-Billón, Pilar Casares and Aina Jordi, has been crowned Women’s European Champion after four days of racing.

Cati Darder’s ‘Sal’ has been named Women’s J80 European Champion at the MSC European Championship, held in the waters of the Abra estuary in Biscay. The Club Nàutic s’Arenal boat, helmed by Darder and crewed by Marisa Vicens, Helena Alegre, Inés Fernández-Billón, Pilar Casares and Aina Jordi, concluded the continental event as the leading women’s crew.

The Mallorcan team delivered an outstanding performance in a demanding championship, contested over four days and eight races. The event brought together crews from several countries and some of the leading names in the J80 class. The result confirms the work and competitiveness of the crew led by Cati Darder at one of the season’s most important international events.

The final day was marked by difficult weather conditions. Persistent drizzle accompanied highly unstable winds, which shifted from west to east and ranged between 2 and 6 knots. After several attempts, the Race Committee managed to complete the final race at 2:40 p.m., with a north-northwesterly breeze.

While Cati Darder’s ‘Sal’ secured the women’s title, the battle for the overall standings was won by Javier Padrón’s Eurofrits & Aviko Newind Foods. The three-time world champion from the Canary Islands won the final race and defended his lead against Pierre Laouenan’s French CV Ailee–École Navale.

Eurofrits & Aviko Newind Foods finished on 13 points, compared with 22 for the French boat, which was also the top Master crew. Pichu Torcida’s Fredo La Estrella del Norte, with 39 points, completed the overall podium.

The MSC J80 European Championship therefore concluded with Javier Padrón’s overall victory and the notable women’s triumph of ‘Sal’, placing Cati Darder and her crew among the leading teams at the Abra event.

In addition, David Madrazo’s Pañales was the top youth crew, while the mixed category was won by Eric Brezellec’s Mojito Arkea Banque.