Stijn Oosterhaven wins the 46th ‘Mamá Optimist’ of CN Portitxol

Club Nàutic Portitxol (CNP) held the 46th edition of the "Trofeo Mamá Optimist S.M. La Reina" this past weekend, June 14th and 15th, a legendary regatta for Optimist class sailors (Under11, Under13, and Under16), and Optimist D (beginners). Every year, the event gathers over two hundred young sailors from various Balearic clubs in what is, for many, their very first regatta.

The competition took place in the Bay of Palma, under weather conditions marked by an orange alert for high temperatures issued by AEMET for these dates. “We prioritized safety above all and made sure our sailors were well looked after, hydrated, and protected at all times,” emphasized Rafa Ibancos, CNP’s sports director.

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Each day was scheduled to include three races for the Optimist groups and two races for the Optimist D fleet, the youngest sailors. On Saturday, June 14th, two races were held for the yellow, blue, and Optimist D groups, and only one on Sunday, June 15th. “Both days we had light winds of about 6 knots,” added Ibancos.

Although one of the most special aspects of this regatta is that every participant receives a prize thanks to the sponsors, the overall winner was Stijn Oosterhaven from CN S’Arenal. As a result, the traditional bouquet of flowers was given to his mother. “He’s won for the second consecutive time, as he was also champion last year, so next year he might become the first sailor to win our signature trophy, a salad bowl donated in 1980 by the Spanish Royal Family and presented by Queen Emerita Doña Sofía of Greece. It is displayed year-round in the club’s trophy cabinet and will be awarded to the first sailor to win the 'Trofeo Mamá Optimist' three times in a row or five times in total, something that, although close on several occasions, has never yet happened and still awaits its rightful owner.”

This 2025 edition wrapped up on Sunday afternoon with a large award ceremony, supported by nearly fifty sponsor companies. Alongside trophies, a sail was raffled among the participants. The ceremony was attended by David Salom, general director of sports for the Institut Municipal de l’Esport (IME); Cati Darder, president of the Balearic Sailing Federation (FBV); Antonia Paniza, president of the Balearic Association of the International Optimist Class (ABCIO); members of the Club’s Board of Directors led by president José Manuel Santander, and representatives of some of the sponsoring companies.

“I’m very pleased with the turnout for this 46th edition of our legendary regatta. For the club, it’s a pleasure to keep the legacy of the regatta alive and to see the excitement it generates among young Optimist sailors. We need more initiatives like this, where participation is prioritized over competition itself. They also help foster a love for sailing and increase participation in races across our Islands. While it requires significant organizational and logistical effort, seeing the sailors and their families go home happy with their trophy more than makes up for it. I want to thank the entire club team, and we’re already getting started on the next edition,” said Joan Fornés, CNP’s sailing representative.

This is a particularly special regatta, as it’s often the first competition for many young sailors and the only event in the Balearics where every participant receives a prize. It was born nearly half a century ago, an idea of Mestre Rafel Llinàs, legendary sailing instructor and honorary club member, who wanted to create a regatta to get children hooked on sailing. The event also pays tribute to the mothers who dedicate each weekend to preparing and taking their children to the club to take their first steps in the sport.

To ensure that there were prizes for all participants and not just the winners, Llinàs convinced the young sailors’ mothers to help gather sponsors. The result was a massive success, with the number of sponsors growing alongside the number of participants — from just 40 in the early editions to 200 today. This year, alongside clubs from across Mallorca, sailors also came from Club Marítimo de Mahón and Club Nàutic de Ciutadella.

Each year, the regatta breaks records for sponsorships, showing its enduring prestige and acceptance within the Balearic sailing community. The long list of sponsors making it possible for every child to take home a prize includes: Autoridad Portuaria de Baleares (APB), Ajuntament de Palma - IME, Federación Balear de Vela, Asociación de Navegantes ADN Mediterráneo, Restaurante Club Nàutic Portitxol, Club Nàutic Port d’Andratx, Real Club Náutico de Palma, Club de Mar, Club Marítimo San Antonio de la Playa, Nautimedia Comunicación, Pasión por el Mar, Merca Nautic, Construcciones Pasivas, Eroski, Accastillage Diffusion, Banco Sabadell, Hotel Portixol, Casa Calicó, Ca’n Sion, Instalaciones Guzmán, Radio-Taxi Palma Ciutat, Frialsa, Centro Dental, Xisca Mas, Xisco Castelló, Palma Aquarium, AquaBlue, Mercallantas, Bazar Las Palmeras, Trofeos Serra, Bosch & Lozano, Restaurante Sa Roqueta, Restaurante Hoyo 10, Quely, Pinturas Clumba, Carnisseria Es Molinar, Rotger Consulting, Clínica Dental Manedent, Tempestalia Escuela de Navegación, Unidad Mallorquina de Servicios, Bar Restaurante Las Palmeras, Gemas Mallorca, Sea Connect, Floristeria Flors i Detalls, GM Inox, Cavaco Sails, and Pep Campos.

“We want to thank all the institutions, organizations, clubs, and companies who supported and sponsored us, making this event possible, as well as all the staff and board of directors of CNP,” added Ibancos.