The Balearic fleet, aiming for the top ten at the 49er, 49er FX, and Nacra 17 European Championships

Sailors Conrad Konitzer, from Club Nàutic s’Arenal, Melania Henke, from Real Club Náutico de Palma, and Mar Gil, from Club de Vela Port d’Andratx, will compete from today, June 3rd, until this Sunday, June 8th, in the 49er, 49er FX, and Nacra 17 European Championships.

The event takes place in the waters of Thessaloniki (Greece) with six Spanish crews participating. Among the top contenders on paper are the teams formed by brothers Martín and Jaime Wizner, Conrad Konitzer and Antonio Torrado, and Patricia Suárez with Melania Henke.

In the 49er class, with 54 registered teams, three Spanish boats will fly the national flag. The main hopes rest on the Galician brothers Martín and Jaime Wizner, and the duo of Mallorcan Conrad Konitzer, from Club Nàutic s’Arenal, and Antonio Torrado from Alicante. Their primary goal: a top-ten finish. Also competing is Catalan sailor Pol Marsans, who reunites with his brother Alex as crew after stepping away from Silvia Mas’s 470 team. Olympic champions Diego Botín and Florian Trittel will not take part in the continental championship but are expected to resume training in the Olympic class soon.

In 49er FX, Spain will be represented by two teams from the 2032 squad in a fleet of 30 duos. Mallorcan sailor Melania Henke, from Real Club Náutico de Palma, and Galician Patricia Suárez aim to maintain their strong momentum, after placing fifth at the French Olympic Week in Hyères. Another Galician-Mallorcan team, with Mar Gil, from Club de Vela Port d’Andratx, and Stella Enríquez, will also compete. However, the two pre-Olympic teams will not be racing: Paula Barceló, from Club Nàutic s’Arenal, and Maria Cantero will return to competition once the former finishes college, while Canary Islanders Alicia Fras and Elena Barrio are temporarily sidelined due to a crew injury.

In Nacra 17, Catalan siblings Daniel and Nora Garcia de la Casa, current youth world and European champions in Nacra 15, are Spain’s sole representatives in a fleet of 27 boats. They are eager to make the most of this opportunity. Joan Cardona, from Club Marítimo de Mahón, and Nicole Van der Velden have opted not to compete, while Tara Pacheco is undergoing a crew change.

The European Championship is organized by the Nautical Club of Thessaloniki and features 15 scheduled races plus a Medal Race for each category. Organizers aim to complete three races per day from midday onward, taking advantage of the Meltemi, the strong northern Greek wind. The competition will run over six days, from today, Tuesday, through to Sunday, when the new European champions in the 49er, 49er FX, and Nacra 17 classes will be crowned.

The Spanish Sailing Federation’s pre-Olympic team is supported by the Spanish Sports Council, the Spanish Olympic Committee, and Universo Mujer, and is sponsored by Iberdrola and Quirón Prevención. Official suppliers include Azul Marino, Murimar Seguros, Nippon Express, Marine Pool, and Enovis.