Snipe World Championship kicks off in Mahón with over 80 crews

The Snipe World Championship was presented at the Club Marítimo de Mahón with impressive numbers: 88 crews from 21 countries, 176 athletes, and 92 yacht clubs represented. Furthermore, the President of the Balearic Government, Marga Prohens, opened the championship and placed the port of Mahón as an international sailing hub for the coming days. “Mahón will be the world capital of Snipe this week,” she stated during the ceremony held on the Moll de Llevant promenade.

Yesterday at noon, Monday, September 21st, the Club Marítimo de Mahón presented the 2026 Snipe World Championship, which brings together 88 crews from 21 countries starting today. The fleet includes four overall world champions holding six combined titles, the reigning European champions, and several of the class's top international specialists.

Spain is the most represented country with 17 teams, followed by Brazil and Japan with nine each, and the United States with eight. The entry list includes 30 mixed crews and representatives from 92 nautical clubs or organizations.

The presentation ceremony took place on the upper terrace of the host club, featuring Basilio Ferrer, President of Club Marítimo de Mahón; Paola Prada, SCIRA Vice Commodore; Vicente Fullana, delegate of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands in Mahón; Rafael Quintana, Insular Director of Youth, Sports, and Employment for the Consell de Menorca; and Héctor Pons, Mayor of Mahón. The event also featured a screening of the official championship video.

Ferrer framed the World Championship as one of the main sporting events organized by the entity and the culmination of the club's historic relationship with the Snipe class, which has been present in Mahón since the 1930s. "Organizing a Snipe World Championship is a dream come true for Club Marítimo de Mahón. It is a boat that is deeply tied to the history of the port and our organization. We are used to major sporting events, but I believe this is a step further," stated the CMM president, who expressed gratitude to the Mahón City Council, the Port Authority, and the Consell de Menorca for “their involvement and dedication to making this event a reality.”

The Vice Commodore of SCIRA, the highest representative of the Snipe class at the event, spoke to the level of the fleet and the international scope reached by the tournament while praising the organizing team's commitment. "We are very grateful to Club Marítimo de Mahón, to all the volunteers, the race committee, and the technical crew who have worked for so many months to make this championship possible. But we want to thank them especially for their hospitality and for making us feel not just like racers, but as part of this great Snipe class family. I am sure that along with great sailing memories, we will take home friendships and moments that will remain with us for many years,” declared Paola Prada.

Vicente Fullana explained the collaboration of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands regarding the logistics deployed at Moll de Llevant, where the boat park and necessary infrastructure to accommodate the teams have been installed: “I think it is important to highlight the great coordination between Club Marítimo de Mahón and the rest of the institutions to bring this Snipe World Championship to a successful completion. The APB, as manager of the port of Mahón, has contributed its part, but above all, the effort made by the club is truly remarkable.”

For his part, Rafael Quintana highlighted the sporting and social impact of the competition for Menorca. "I want to congratulate Club Marítimo de Mahón on the historic milestone of organizing this championship, which turns the island into the global epicenter of sailing. This World Championship is the result of many years of work, dedication, and great effort," stated the Consell's Insular Director of Sports.

Finally, Héctor Pons emphasized the connection between the World Championship and the city, as well as the decision to place a large part of the activity in a visible location close to the urban center. “This Snipe World Championship represents a source of pride and honor for the Mahón City Council, in addition to showcasing the strength and organizational capacity of Club Marítimo, a century-old entity without which we cannot understand the reality of Mahón," noted the mayor.

In addition, Prohens recalled the historical link between the Snipe class and Mahón, as well as the work carried out by the host club across several generations. “To talk about Mahón is to talk about a true cradle of champions,” noted the President, emphasizing that the Menorcan entity “has earned the recognition and respect of the international nautical community.”

The President also commented on the setting of the competition. “The port is not simply the place from which sailors set out; it forms part of Mahón's history and identity,” she assured. Prohens thanked the organizers, volunteers, sponsors, and involved institutions for their work, as well as the trust placed in Mahón by the Snipe Class International Racing Association (SCIRA).

The entry list is headlined by four overall world champions: American Augie Diaz (winner in 2003 and 2005), Argentine Julio Alsogaray (reigning champion after winning in Buenos Aires in 2024), Spaniard Alfredo González (2022 winner), and Brazilian Alexandre Paradeda (2001 champion). Also competing are American Justin Callahan (junior world champion) and Menorcans Jordi Triay and Lluís Mas (reigning European champions).

Yesterday's schedule continued at 1:30 p.m. with the practice race. The competitors' and support personnel meeting began at 7:00 p.m., and the opening ceremony featured the President of the Balearic Government, Marga Prohens, who officially opened the World Championship. The event concluded with a welcome cocktail for the crews.

Scoring races begin today, Tuesday, September 22nd, with the first warning signal scheduled for 11:30 a.m. The program includes nine races through Saturday, September 26th, with two races per day. The final warning signal of the championship is scheduled for Saturday at 12:30 p.m., and the trophy presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m.

The World Championship will utilize Vakaros Atlas2 devices on all boats. The system allows position tracking and early detection of boats crossing the starting line early, enabling a single fleet launch and combined starts for all 88 boats.

Club Marítimo de Mahón set up the staging area along the Moll de Llevant promenade to bring the fleet's departures and arrivals closer to the city. Boats will enter the water via a ramp located opposite the club's main entrance, offering a clear view of much of the daily operations throughout the event.

The opening ceremony brought together the crews, grouped by country, alongside their boats on the Moll de Llevant promenade. Delegations were presented in alphabetical order, with each country's flag unfolded as they were announced. The 17 Spanish teams concluded the parade representing the host nation..