Countdown to the VII EKP Women’s Cup – Iberdrola Female League

The Real Club Marítimo del Abra–Real Sporting Club will host the VII EKP Women’s Cup – Liga Iberdrola femenina next weekend, March 7th to 8th, marking the start of the Spanish championship featuring the best women’s crews from across the country.

According to the organizers, several of the top female crews from different autonomous communities will return to the waters of the Abra in Bizkaia on March 7th and 8th. For the seventh consecutive year, and using an elimination format (a round-robin system where everyone races against everyone), the VII EKP Women’s Cup returns in the J80 class, also included in the Liga Iberdrola circuit.

This edition presents a balanced mix of returning teams and new entries. Loyal participants in the Liga Iberdrola include established crews from Real Club Marítimo del Abra–Real Sporting Club, Club Náutico Altea, Club Nàutic s’Arenal, Reial Club Náutico del Port de Pollença, Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria, Madrid Navega and the Sailing Federation of the Region of Murcia, although some of them will feature new sailors. Real Club Náutico Calpe is also returning with a new team, as well as Real Club Náutico de Palma, even though it will not complete the entire circuit. New crews joining this edition include teams from Real Club Náutico San Sebastián, the Galician Sailing Federation, Club Náutico Sevilla and Club Náutico Ibiza. Notably, a team representing the Spanish Armed Forces has also registered.

The Real Club Marítimo del Abra–Real Sporting Club, together with the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation, organizes the event, which will take place on the inner Abra racecourse, with the first starts scheduled for Saturday at 12:00 a.m. and Sunday at 11:00a.m.

The competition aims to promote female sailing crews and encourage leadership among women in the sport. In recognition of this commitment, the Getxo City Council recently awarded the Las Arenas-based club during its sports gala for its efforts in promoting equality.

Teams present will include two boats from the Real Club Marítimo del Abra–Real Sporting Club, with the Surne helmed by Silvia Marcé and another boat steered by Carmen Galdós, as well as a crew from Real Club Náutico de San Sebastián led by skipper Olatz Muñoz.