Sailors from Club de Vela Port d’Andratx take over the Kakapo Open Race 2025 podiums

The second edition of the Kakapo Open Race 2025 comes to an end successfully, after a week full of emotion and sporting spirit in Barcelona’s waters. The event has gathered 30 sailors with representation in two countries, consolidating itself as an important date for inclusive sailing.

The event, celebrated from June 16th to 21st in Barcelona International Sailing Center (BISC), has had the participation of 30 sailors from two countries, who have competed in Hansa 303 individual and doubles categories. The competition has also been considered as Spain’s Adapted and Inclusive Sailing Championship, highlighting the importance of inclusive sports in Catalonia as well as the rest of the State.

Even though the first day of competition began with an intense wind that obliged cancelling the starting tests for security reasons, the spirit of the sailors was not affected. As the week carried on, the wind offered better conditions, allowing the exciting regattas to take place under a radiant sky and summer temperatures. The sun, the wind and the passion for sailing has turned the Kakapo Open Race 2025 into an unforgettable week, marked by superation, inclusion and strength of sport as a universal language.

In the individual category, celebrated from June 16th to 18th, six out of the nine programmed tests have been carried out. Pau Toni Homar, from CVPA, has held the leadership since the first journey and has been crowned overall champion, with a solid and constant performance. British Rory McKinna (Clyde Cruising Club) is second, and Cargol, also from CVPA, completes the podium in third place.

In the individual female category, Jana Mestre, from CVPA, is the champion, with a notorious fourth position in the general classification. Violeta del Reino and Mari Carmen García, from the same club, occupy the second and third places respectively.

The double mixed competition, celebrated from June 19th to 21st, has counted with the participation of 12 teams and has completed the totality of the nine expected races in ideal wind conditions. The classification stayed adjusted until the last journey.

Finally, the duo from Club de Vela Port d’Andratx, formed by Pau Toni Homar and Isaias Iglesias, has been crowned champion. Just by one point, sailors Alejandro Solera and Maria Carmen Garcia, from the same club, took the second position. The third place of the podium was for José Antonio Sánchez Cabrera (Club de Mar Almería) and Jaime Hernández Gómez (También Foundation).

In Spain’s Adapted and Inclusive Sailing Championship, Pau Toni Homar has been crowned victor in the individual category, followed by Jordi Cargol in second place, and Jana Mestre, from Club Vela de Port d'Andratx, in third place. In the female category, Jane Mestre has risen with the victory.

In the double category of Spain’s Championship, the podium has been the following: in first place, Pau Toni Homar and Isaias Iglesias, del CVPA; in second place, Alejandro Solera and Maria Carmen Garcia, also from CVPA; and in third position, Antonio Sánchez Cabrera (Club de Mar Almería) and Jaime Hernández Gómez (También Foundation).

The journey came to an end with the closure and awards ceremonies, celebrated in the BISC facilities, and presided by Gabriel Masfurroll, Mi Fundación Alex’s founder; César Thovar, territorial representative of sports in Barcelona; Laureà Fanega, Barcelona Capital Náutica’s director; and Meritxell Cornudella, member of the Directive Board of the Catalan Sailing Federation.

The awards were given to the winners in their respective categories and the Kakapo Open Race Prize was exhibited, in which edition after edition the name of the winners is added.

The Kakapo Open Race 2025 is organized by the Catalan Sailing Federation,  Mi Álex Foundation and Barcelona Capital Nàutica Foundation, and forms part of the Adapted and Inclusive Sailing Spain’s Championship. The event counts with the sponsorship of Diagonal Mar, Mi Tres Torres Clinic and Ribé y Salat, with the support of Barcelona Esports, Esportcat de la Generalitat de Catalunya, Hansa 303 Spain’s Association, Hansa Class Association, the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona, the Real Club Marítimo de Barcelona, the Royal Spain’s Sailing Federation and the collaboration of Marina Port Fòrum.

The regatta has also counted with the support of other entities, such as medical services from Mi Tres Torres Clinic (Move Traumatología and Meditelier), that during the whole competition prayed for the sailors’ health.

The name “Kakapo” comes from a New Zealander parrot in danger of extinction that cannot fly, turned into a symbol of perseverance and adaptation. The regatta reflects these values and the 2025 edition has been consolidated as a key platform for promotion of adapted sailing.

With the gaze set on the future, the organization already works in the preparation of the 2026 edition, with the objective of making these regattas grow and giving visibility to sailing as a sport for all.