New challenge for Balearic sailing: the 8th Portugal Grand Prix

International Olympic sailing returns to Vilamoura, Portugal, with the second round of the 8th Portugal Grand Prix, that starts tomorrow, February 25th, in the Portuguese region of Algarve, and will finish on Saturday February 28th. The regatta will reunite some of the best sailors in the world in Olympic classes such as ILCA, 49er, 49er FX and 470, in a key moment in the cycle of the next Olympic Games.

Inside an international high-level participation, the Balearic Islands will have an important presence of 17 sailors, some of which will compete under the umbrella of the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation and the Balearic Sailing Federation. Sailors, who will compete in different classes, come from these clubs of the archipelago: the Real Club Náutico de Palma, the Club Nàutic s’Arenal, the Club Marítimo San Antonio de la Playa, the Reial Club Nàutic del Port de Pollença and the Club de Vela Puerto de Andratx.

The Balearics will compete in different of the most demanding classes of the olympic program, with representation in 470 Mixed, 49er FX, ILCA 6 in the female category as well as the male one and ILCA 7, confirming the specific weight of Balearic sailing in the international scope.

Among the participants of the islands, Mallorcan Marta Cardona, from the Club Nàutic s’Arenal, who will team up with Jordi Xammar in 470 mixed, stands out. The crew arrives as one of the most promising combinations of the fleet, for the sports potential as well as for their projection inside the olympic cycle.

The Portugal Grand Prix is recognized as an event of 100 points for the world ranking of World Sailing and has been consolidated as a key event inside the preolympic calendar. The race reunites national sailors and teams that aim to measure their competitive level, adjust the preparation and evaluate their progression in an environment of maximum demand.

Furthermore, the competition reinforces the positioning of Vilamoura as one of the great world centers of high performance sailing. Its permanent olympic training center offers constant wind and sea conditions in the Atlantic, alongside advanced technical infrastructures and specialized services that turn it into an usual destination for international teams all year.

In this context, the Portugal Grand Prix does not only work as a sports scenery, but also as an international showcase, with the expected presence of delegations, technicians and specialized media of different countries, which reinforces its impact in the calendar of olympic sailing.