The Gran Día de la Vela - Bufete Frau will exceed half a thousand participants in its 61st edition

The Club Nàutic S’Arenal has hosted this Wednesday, August 20th, the presentation of the 61st edition of the Gran Día de la Vela - Bufete Frau, a very special sporting and social event for the club and for all the sailing lovers of the Balearics that constitutes the most emblematic and old regatta of the ones that are celebrated in the CNA.

After a historical 60th anniversary celebrated last year with registry records, this new edition will take place from August 23rd to 31st. The races will kick off this Saturday, August 23rd, and will last until Monday 25th, to be retaken on next Thursday 28th to Sunday 31st, when the awards ceremony is taking place.

The official presentation of this 61st edition has counted with the presence of a representation of sailors and, on Bufete Frau’s behalf, Toni, Marina and José Frau, who have been supporting this event as sponsors for 17 years, have also been present. On the club’s behalf, manager Ferran Muniesa and president José Ramón Picó have been present. In addition, the presentation event of this regatta has counted with the presence of the sports director of the Balearic Sailing Federation (FBV), Jordi Castro, in addition to the councillor of Sports of Llucmajor’s Council, Rafael Amengual, who has also pointed out “the importance of the values of sport, that shows what our society needs: perseverance and effort to be able to make our dreams come true”.

This edition will count with the participation of over a thousand athletes coming from eight autonomic communities (Balearics, Canary Islands, Andalusia, Catalonia, Murcian Region, Valencian Community, Cantabry and Galicia). Thanks to the collaboration with the Council of Llucmajor, the absolute winner of the longer regatta of the CNA will write their name of the Rei en Jaume III Ciutat de Llucmajor Trophy.  

The event will count with races for the Optimist, 420, ILCA 4, IQ Foil y Techno 293, in addition to regattas for ORC cruisers and Lateen Sailing. In addition, the encounter will have parallel activities, amongst which it is important to highlight the XXII Travesía Sa Milla CNA - Cala Blava, an emblematic swimming test in open waters, which will take place on August 30th at 9:30 a.m. in the beach of Es Caló and whose benefits will be destined to the ELA Balears association.

“Last year we celebrated the 60th anniversary with emotion, a benchmark that allowed us to look back and remember how it all began.Today, a year later, we keep writing this story, with the same illusion of always and with the certainty that this trophy is much more than a regatta: it’s a reference date in the nautical calendar, a tradition that unites us all and a true encounter spot for sailors, families and friends”, has pointed out Picó, who has celebrated that “throughout this week, the bay will be filled again with sails, with the participation of light sailing and cruisers classes, which give the trophy that characteristic wealth and diversity. But there will also be life on land, with activities and moments to share that turn this event into an authentic party for all of us who love the sea”, he has promised. “I’m convinced that this edition will be, once again, unforgettable. May the wind blow, the emotion rule in the water and may we all enjoy a week full of sailing and friendship. Sailors, the bay is yours… let the Gran Día de la Vela Bufete Frau begin!” he exclaimed.

“Today we celebrate sixty-one years of history, passion and competition regarding our favorite sport”, Muniesa has added on his behalf. “In this edition we are thrilled to announce the participation of over 500 ships, a number that shows the consolidation of the Gran Día de la Vela in the national sailing world. We feel especially proud of having such a diverse representation, from young promises to great figures of this sport. The 10 classes that will compete from August 23rd to 31st reflect the variety and wealth of our sport, with categories such as Optimist, ILCA, 420, Techno293, iQFOiL, ORC Cruiser and Lateen Sailing, amongst others”, he has explained. “To be able to carry out all this variety of regattas the CNA has put up to three regattas areas that will work altogether to give the best service to the participants. Over 70 people will work so that we can offer first-rate regattas at sea and the best services on land”, he has added.

During his intervention, Toni Frau has pointed out the labor of the “human team, that makes this event possible” and has considered that “this edition is of the regatta’s consolidation. I was like you all 17 years ago when we sponsored the Gran Día de la Vela for the first time”, he said to the present young sailors. “The strength of this regatta are the families, fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, grandfathers and grandmothers that support you and make everything possible”, he has concluded.