These are the winners of Cala Gamba’s Diada de Vela Llatina

The traditional sailing gathering concludes its 29th edition, consolidating itself as one of the most important in Spain.

The 29th Cala Gamba Llatina Sailing Day came to a close this Sunday, September 14, with a day marked by magnificent sailing conditions. The morning began with a north wind that, after a brief lull, shifted to the southwest, with gusts of up to 14 knots. This allowed for fast and spectacular sailing, visible from various points along the Palma coast. The llaüts and traditional boats sailed close to shore, particularly between Cala Gamba and El Molinar, showcasing their characteristic lateen rigs.

The winners of the competition were: ‘Savanna’, skippered by Toni Jover (Llaüts Clàssics); ‘Tinita’, by Toni Estades (Regata); ‘Mitjana’, by Isabel Estades and crewed entirely by women (Dragonera); ‘Asam’, by Pere Riera (Vela Llatina Clàssica); and ‘Primero’, by Bernat Oliver (Llaüts Clàssics Oberta). In the Open class, the first to cross the finish line was ‘Alconassar’, by Juan José Font.

Beyond the sporting results, Cala Gamba’s Diada de Vela Llatina reaffirmed its status as the most important gathering of traditional boats in Spain and one of the most notable in the Mediterranean, with vessels arriving from Catalonia, Menorca, and ports such as Colònia de Sant Jordi and Sóller.

Antoni Estades, vice president of the Cala Gamba Yacht Club (CNCG) and winner in the Regata class with Tinita, a 1945 boat that once belonged to sailor Raimundo Reus and was preserved thanks to his wife, emphasized that the Diada “is a fully consolidated event, bringing together around fifty participants each year and highlighting the club’s commitment to maritime culture and the naval traditions of the Balearic Islands.”

“An event like this,” added Estades, who is also president of the Association of Yacht Clubs of the Balearic Islands, “is only possible at a yacht club. Our DNA is linked to providing a public service, in this case by bringing traditional sailing closer to the public.” In fact, the regatta could be followed free of charge aboard a sightseeing boat from the company Sa Calma Boats, courtesy of the Cala Gamba Yacht Club.

The club’s efforts have also materialized in the creation of the Cala Gamba Ecomuseum, a space where wooden boats are moored in the harbor. Both the floating museum and the Diada have encouraged newcomers to take up lateen sailing. Among them is Argentine sailor and boat owner Juan José Merayo, who at 84 confessed: “I’m learning everything about this rig, and I have the privilege of doing it surrounded by masters.”

Another participant this year was Abed Zamrik, owner of the F.M.Y. based in Sóller, who took part for the first time in the Diada alongside his daughter. Before setting sail for the day’s crossing, he thanked the club for its hospitality and the atmosphere in the harbor: “We came sailing from Sóller, but it was worth it.”

The awards ceremony, held after a fellowship lunch among all participants, brought the event to a close. Joan Marc Rigo, manager of the CNCG, expressed his satisfaction with this year’s edition: “We’ve received many congratulations and some suggestions to keep improving.” He also revealed that the club is already working on the 30th anniversary edition: “We want next year to be an even more special Diada, if possible.”

The 29th Cala Gamba's Diada de la Vela Llatina was sponsored by Toyota Medimotors Mallorca and Fan Mallorca Shopping.