Strong turnout at the 5th Trobada Sabatinera of Club Nàutic Sa Ràpita

Club Nàutic Sa Ràpita hosted this weekend the fifth edition of the Trobada Sabatinera, an event now firmly established in Mallorca’s cruising calendar. The regatta was created to pay tribute to the sailors who, more than four decades ago, launched the movement of social regattas traditionally held on Saturdays, hence the name “sabatinas.”

A total of 19 boats took part in this 2026 edition, representing the clubs of Porto Colom, Puerto Portals, S’Estanyol and Sa Ràpita, reaffirming the interclub spirit and sense of camaraderie that has defined these regattas since their origins.

After nearly two months of poor weather and repeated event cancellations, expectations were uncertain. The start was scheduled for 11:00, but very light winds (barely exceeding 3 knots) forced the race committee to postpone proceedings. However, forecasts hinted at a brief thermal wind window, which ultimately materialised. At 12:16, with a steady llebeig (a south-southwesterly wind from 245°) blowing at 12 knots, the fleet started a triangular course with the start line off the club, a mark at S’Estalella (S’Estanyol), a passage by Na Corberana island (Colònia de Sant Jordi), and a return to the finish at the starting point.

In just under two hours, the fleet completed the course on a day that ultimately delivered ideal conditions and steady winds, far removed from the uncertain forecasts of previous weeks. The smallest boats in the fleet delivered an outstanding performance, highlighted by the victory of Carmela, sailing under the CN Porto Colom burgee and skippered by Ugo Fonollá Simó aboard a Kayteret 770, a Mallorcan-built yacht from the 1980s by the now-defunct Astilleros Bahía. Second place went to S’Indio, a Dufour 40 skippered by Joan Lladó, while the podium was completed by Salt, Julio Vidal’s First 27.7.

After the race, Ugo Fonollá, skipper and owner of Carmela, expressed his satisfaction: “On the first beat towards S’Estalella, we were the only ones to choose the coastal route, and it paid off. Later, the wind even allowed us to hoist the spinnaker on the leg to Corberana. It was a very enjoyable race. Having close to 20 boats, mixing large and small, creates a strong sense of unity and shows that this event is more alive than ever.”

True to its original spirit, the day concluded with a fellowship lunch under the club’s marquee, followed by the prize-giving ceremony. This year’s prizes featured local Balearic products such as Son Burguera cheese, olive oil, wine, and spices, reinforcing the event’s strong connection to the region.

Five editions after its revival, the Trobada Sabatinera confirms its consolidation as a regatta that goes beyond competition. Beyond sporting results, the real victory once again lies in the reunion of sailors, generational continuity, and the celebration of a tradition born in Sa Ràpita that forms part of Mallorca’s nautical identity.