Paula Barceló wins silver at the San Pedro Olympic Classes Regatta

The world runners-up conclude the San Pedro Olympic Classes Regatta with seven podium finishes, including three victories, in their first competition at the venue that will host the upcoming Olympic Games.

Paula Barceló, from Club Nàutic s’Arenal, and María Cantero (RCN Gran Canaria) have won the silver medal at the San Pedro Olympic Classes Regatta, the fifth and final event of the international Sailing Grand Slam circuit, held from August 2 to 8 in Californian waters. The Spanish crew, the only national representatives at the event, rounded off their first competition at the same venue that will host the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games with an excellent result.

The competition, whose final races concluded during the early hours of the morning in Spain, brought together 18 49er FX crews from 14 countries. The fleet featured characteristics similar to those the Spanish sailors could encounter at the Olympic Games, where each country may be represented by a single boat.

Barceló and Cantero arrived in San Pedro following the European Championships in Germany and several days of training alongside their coach, Xabi Fernández. Their dual objective was to compete at the highest level while also beginning to gather valuable information about a venue that will play a key role on their road to Los Angeles 2028.

The Spanish sailors showed remarkable consistency throughout the week. Across the 15 races held before the Medal Series, they recorded seven podium finishes, including three race victories, results that allowed them to enter the decisive day in second place overall.

The final day brought challenging conditions, with winds ranging between 16 and 20 knots and numerous gusts. Barceló and Cantero entered the two final Medal Series races holding provisional silver and successfully defended their position with finishes of sixth and fifth, securing second place overall.

The Spanish crew finished the San Pedro Olympic Classes Regatta only behind the Swedish pairing of Vilma Bobeck, the silver medallist at Paris 2024, and Ebba Berntsson.

Beyond the result itself, the stay in California allowed Barceló, Cantero and Xabi Fernández to gain valuable experience at the future Olympic venue, accumulating information and knowledge about the conditions of a racecourse where the Los Angeles 2028 medals will be decided in two years' time.

The activities of the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation (RFEV) and its national teams, including the pre-Olympic team 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 won more Olympic gold medals for Spain than any other.

The RFEV is sponsored by Iberdrola, Quirónprevención and Loterías y Apuestas del Estado. Its institutional sponsors include the Higher Sports Council (CSD), the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) and Universo Mujer, together with the Port Authority of Santander and the Government of Cantabria, through the Department of Culture, Tourism and Sport, Deporte Cantabria and the Regional Society of Culture and Sport. Its official suppliers are Azul Marino, Nippon Express, Murimar Seguros, Marinepool and Enovis, while its institutional partners include ADESP and World Sailing.