After racing, competitors and organisers exchanged impressions and strengthened ties at the Village Hospitality area on the Beewi terrace. Racing will continue on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00. With only one race completed on the opening day, the committee may schedule a third race on either of the remaining days, conditions permitting, in an effort to complete the six-race programme.
DID YOU LIKE THIS CONTENT? WELL... YOU HAVE ALL OF OUR FULL PROGRAMS HERE!The calm that followed Thursday’s storm tested the patience of the fleet and race committee as the 10th Puerto Portals Dragon Winter Series got underway. Under clear skies and with barely a breath of wind across the Bay of Palma, conditions were not suitable for racing at the scheduled time. The breeze eventually opened a window, however: shortly after 14:30, with around six knots of wind, the 16 boats on the water were able to complete a race off Puerto Portals, in waters off Calvià.
During the hours of waiting, the race committee, led by Race Officer Marta Reynés, carefully monitored the wind’s strength and direction. Once conditions allowed racing to begin, the fleet was recalled after several boats crossed the starting line early in a general recall. The competitors returned to the line and, at the second attempt, made a clean start.
The race called for careful reading of the course from the first tacks. On the beat to the windward mark, choosing one side of the course over the other could make a significant difference, while a slight wind shift later in the race prompted the committee to alter the course. A day that for much of the afternoon looked likely to produce no racing therefore ended with the fleet’s first test of the series.
EASY, the Portuguese boat crewed by Michael Zankel, Diego da Silva Pereira and Joao de Matos Rosa, made the most of the conditions to take the lead after the only race sailed. Aurum, from Club Nàutic de Mahón, is second, with Tanit Cabau Wolf, Adam Winkelman, Sheena Bowers and Pedro
Andrade on board. Germany’s Goldkante, helmed by Tanja Jacobsohn, finished third. Jacobsohn is one of two women helming boats in the fleet and knows the circuit well: this is her ninth appearance at the Puerto Portals Winter Series.
After racing, the day continued ashore at the Village Hospitality area on the Beewi terrace. Competitors and organisers shared their thoughts on the race, caught up and strengthened ties in a relaxed atmosphere, carrying the Dragon class’s spirit of camaraderie beyond the racecourse.
For Álvaro Irala, president of the Club de Regatas and captain of Puerto Portals, reaching the 10th edition reflects a commitment that is part of the marina’s identity. “Although it may seem unusual for a marina, we have a Club de Regatas founded in 1987, and promoting and organising top-level regattas is part of our DNA,” he said. Irala also highlighted the pride the club takes in supporting the Dragon class, which was once an Olympic class and is approaching the centenary of the first Dragon yacht being built. “Having these boats with us during the racing season is undoubtedly a privilege,” he added.
Racing will continue on Saturday and Sunday. With just one race completed on Friday, the fleet will look to make up ground over the remaining two days. The programme allows for up to six races and, conditions permitting, the committee may schedule a third race on one of the days to make up for the race that could not be sailed today.
All to play for as the opening event of the X Puerto Portals Dragon Winter Series reaches its finalAGENDA from November 6th to the 11th: the excitement of the Vela Ligera Store Trophy returns 
