Spain crowned European Optimist Team Racing Champions

Pedro Burgues, Mary Anne Osha, Maria de Lluc Bestard and Jan Palou, all members of the Real Club Náutico de Palma, claimed the title on Lake Garda after beating Türkiye 2–0 in the final.

Spain has been crowned European Optimist Team Racing Champion after defeating Türkiye 2–0 in the final, held on Saturday in Campione del Garda, Italy. The team, comprising Pedro Burgues, Mary Anne Osha, Lluc Bestard and Jan Palou, secured the gold medal after four days of competition featuring 64 sailors from 16 countries.

All four sailors represent the Real Club Náutico de Palma and qualified for the European Championships after winning the Spanish Optimist Team Racing Championship. Their victory in Italian waters adds the continental title to their national crown.

The Spanish team settled the final with two consecutive wins against a Turkish squad that had topped the standings following the opening rounds. Strong coordination, sound tactical decisions and the ability to remain composed at crucial moments enabled Spain to seal the tie without the need for a third race.

Spain reached the final after overcoming hosts Italy in the semi-finals, while Türkiye secured its place by defeating Poland. Both semi-final ties, like the final, were decided in a best-of-three format. Italy claimed the bronze medal with a 2–0 victory over Poland.

The championship featured four days of head-to-head racing, from the opening round-robin stage through the Gold and Silver groups and the medal-deciding knock-out rounds. The format places importance on every position in determining the team's overall result and requires sailors to combine individual skill with strategy, communication and cooperation among all four team members.

The victory holds special significance for Lluc Bestard, who bids farewell to the Optimist class with her third continental title. Having previously won two European girls' fleet-racing crowns, she now adds team racing gold, earned alongside her Spanish teammates.

“This is my last championship in Optimist, as I am moving to another class. I am very happy to see that all the hard work, both mine and that of the whole team, has been rewarded with this victory,” Bestard said after the final.

Spain shared the podium with Türkiye and Italy. Poland finished fourth, ahead of Greece, Switzerland, France and Croatia, which completed the top eight.

The activities of the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation (RFEV) and its national teams—including the Olympic campaign team and the 2032 team—are made possible through the support of a strong network of institutions and companies committed to sailing, the sport that has delivered 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 Spanish National Sports Council, the Spanish Olympic Committee and Universo Mujer, alongside the Santander Port Authority and the Government of Cantabria, through its Department of Culture, Tourism and Sport, Deporte Cantabria and the Regional Society for Culture and Sport.

Official suppliers include Azul Marino, Nippon Express, Murimar Seguros, Marinepool and Enovis, while ADESP and World Sailing are institutional partners.