The 8th Mestre Rafel Trophy sees the young Optimist sailors shine one more year

Club Nàutic Portitxol (CNP) has celebrated this weekend the eighth edition of the Mestre Rafel Trophy of Optimist and Optimist D. On Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th of September, around 150 young sailors coming from different clubs of the island gathered in the bay of Palma to compete in the races in the regattas area inhabited near the CNP.

The event was once again a tribute to the memory of Rafel Llinàs Vallespir, historical trainer of sailors' generations and key figures in the boosting of base sailing in Mallorca. Passed away in 2019, Llinàs was the first coach of international level sailors such as Jordi Calafat (olympic champion in 1992 and winner of America’s Cup) and José Carlos Frau, Optimist world’s runner-up in 1983. In addition, he was the creator of the Mamá Optimist S.M. la Reina Trophy, one of the most emblematic regattas of the CNP, in which all participants receive a trophy.

Competition’s development

Last Saturday September 13th journey kicked off with three races for the Optimist class, which took place under a light south wind that grew with intensity until it stabilized in optimum conditions. In the Optimist D class two races were completed, also in a s

La jornada del sábado 13 de septiembre arrancó con tres pruebas para la clase Optimist, que se disputaron bajo un viento del sur inicialmente ligero pero que fue ganando intensidad hasta estabilizarse en condiciones óptimas. In the Optimist D class, two races were completed, also in conditions marked by steady winds and a slightly choppier sea.

On Sunday, September 14th, however, the wind took its time. After a compulsory pause due to the absence of breeze, the arrival of a southerly wind allowed for two races for both the yellow and blue groups, as well as two more for group D. The day unfolded in a calmer atmosphere, with light conditions that enhanced the enjoyment of the participants.

The 8th Mestre Rafel Trophy was also a qualifying regatta for the island ranking, which determines access to the Federation Cup, the Balearic Championship, and the School Finals. The Mallorca calendar is completed with the Tomás Darder Trophy (September 20–21, CMSAP), the Audax Marina Regatta (October 4–5, RCN Palma), the Joan Servera Memorial (October 18th–19th, CN Porto Cristo), and the Vela Ligera Store Trophy (November 1–2, CN Arenal).

Results: In Optimist D, victory went to Lukas Konitzer, from Club Nàutic S’Arenal (CNA), followed by Telmo de Villalonga (CNA) and Olivia Izquierdo, from Real Club Nàutic de Palma (RCNP). In Optimist, the winner was Jan Palou (RCNP), with Stijn Oosterhaven (CNA) and Maria De Lluc Bestard (RCNP) completing the podium.

Full results can be consulted on the website of the Balearic Sailing Federation:
 Results VIII Mestre Rafel Trophy

The CNP especially thanks the collaboration of the Balearic Sailing Federation, the Real Club Náutico de Palma, and the Club Marítimo San Antonio de la Playa, whose support has been key in making this event once again a success, both in sporting and human terms.

“Rafel Llinàs, of farming origin, settled in El Molinar after getting married, where he opened a small grocery store very close to the CNP. His connection to sailing came almost by chance: when the club’s instructor retired, he stepped in to take over. He went from training 4 or 5 children to gathering more than 40, creating the largest Optimist fleet on the island and discovering future champions, even Olympians,” recalls the club.

“For everyone, he was like a father: he treated them with infinite care and always in a selfless way. He trained hundreds of children, many of whom are today sailing role models, although for him the most important thing was never the competition, but rather the love for the sport itself,” the CNP emphasizes.