The 61st Gran Día de la Vela – Bufete Frau kicks off at the Club Nàutic S’Arenal

Today, August 23, Club Nàutic S’Arenal (CNA) kicked off the 61st edition of the Gran Día de la Vela – Bufete Frau, one of the club’s flagship regattas and a highlight of the Palma Bay sailing calendar. Following the 60th-anniversary celebration in 2024, which set a historic record for entries, this year’s edition returns stronger than ever with more than 500 boats participating.

The first day featured sailors competing in the Optimist D (beginner), Optimist Sub11, Techno 293, and iQFoil classes. The organization divided the fleet into two racecourses: one dedicated to the boards (iQFoil and Techno 293), equipped with innovative robotized buoys with geolocation to mark the course, and another in the center of the bay for the Optimist Under11 and beginner sailors.

Races took place under excellent weather conditions, with a steady southeast wind (llebeig) of 10–12 knots and half-meter waves, allowing spectacular planing and surfing on downwind legs. All scheduled races for the day were completed, and the standings are beginning to reflect the first provisional positions.

The competition was intense, particularly in the iQFoil races, where some mark roundings, collisions, and falls created tense moments among sailors, reflecting the high level of this edition.

In total, until Monday, August 25th, nine races will be held for the Optimist Sub11, Optimist D, and Techno 293 classes, and fifteen for iQFoil. This first phase will conclude on Monday with an awards ceremony at CNA. The following week will feature Optimist Under13, Optimist Under16, ILCA 4, and 420 classes, from Thursday, August 28 to Sunday, August 31, culminating with the final trophies ceremony.

This year’s edition features a special official image highlighting CNA sailors who became world champions in 2025: Neus Fernández and Martina Gomila (420 World Champions), Marta Cardona (470 Mixed World Champion), and Amalia Coll (420 U17 World Champion).

Thanks to the collaboration with the Llucmajor City Council, the overall winner will have their name engraved on the Rei en Jaume III Ciutat de Llucmajor Trophy. Additionally, the Ricardo Arnau Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the best rookie 420 crew, or if not applicable, to the best final-year Optimist sailor.

The event mobilizes more than 70 staff members, judges, and volunteers to ensure top-level racing on the water and excellent service onshore. The second weekend will also feature traditional sailing, including Latin sail regattas, as well as the social side of sailing with the cruiser class competing in ORC.

The event is complemented by parallel activities, notably the XXII Travesía Sa Milla CNA – Cala Blava, an iconic open-water swimming race on August 30 at Es Caló beach, with proceeds benefiting the ELA Balears association.

Results: https://www.grandiadelavela.com/es/default/races/race-resultsall