Last weekend, the first edition of the Spanish Cup of the international J70 class was held in Barcelona. A fleet of almost 20 boats competed in a total of eight races out of the twelve scheduled by the regatta committee over three days and with difficult sea and wind conditions. The only boat formed entirely by Canarians and sailing under the flags of the RCN of Arrecife and RCN of Gran Canaria, the "Clínica W", which has in its ranks two top-level Lanzarote sailors such as Nano Negrín, who performs the functions of tactician, and Ricardo Terrades, who sails as trimmer. After a spectacular comeback, the Lanzarote natives were one point away from getting on the podium, while the winner was "Cosmética Clarac", which had Javier Padrón from RCNGC as skipper.
First day 05/19
Last Friday, May 19, the competition began with a gray day, very gentle breezes and fine drizzle that did not seem like we were sailing in Barcelona, while the Galician fleet joked with the locals "as if they were at home." The wind was from the east and very shifty, with quite a swell, which made sailing unpleasant for the sailors, who had to make their best effort. The provisional classification at the end of the day was surprising and "Pazo de Cea" by Andrés González was placed in first position with Javier Por-to at the helm and the brothers Ramón and Rodrigo Ojea, after a first and a fourth.
Just one point behind were the Galicians from "Abril Rojo" by Jorge Pérez Canal. In third position and tied with the second was "Cosmética Clarac", which was making its debut in the class and did not get off the podium throughout the Cup. The fourth position was for the Catalan "Cobra" by Pedro Sotomayor and Gonzalo Romagosa, who after a tenth managed to win the last leg of the day with authority.
Second day 05/20
The next day, the weather forecast was not good at all. The swell continued but the wind increased in intensity although it never exceeded 12 knots, and with continuous changes in direction from the south. The most consistent team of the second day was "Tenaz" by Pablo Garriga, who on this occasion had the Venezuelan world champion Víctor Díaz de León as tactician, and achieved three seconds in the four legs of the day. The provisional classification changed and "Cosmética Clarac" climbed to the first place, followed by "Tenaz" six points behind, and in third position was another of the favorite teams such as "Marnatura" by Luis Bugallo, but it did so nine points behind the second place. Outside the podium, the competition was very demanding and six teams were fighting for seven points with great equality.
Third day 05/21
Last Sunday, May 21, the Spanish Cup ended. The committee went out to sea on time together with the fleet but had to wait patiently for more than two hours until it began to blow. The day was no longer gray and the sun reappeared in the sky of Barcelona. The wind shifted from south to east and a very gentle breeze facilitated the celebration of the last two races of the championship. On this occasion and after a very tight start by the pin, it was Luis Martínez Doreste at the helm of his "Clínica W" who, with an impeccable tactic directed by the Lanzarote native Nano Ne-grín, rounded the windward mark in first position, closely followed by "Tenaz", who was the one who finally won the seventh leg of the championship, while "Clínicas W" was overtaken in the last stretch by "Marnatura" (2), "Noticia" (3) and "Clarac" (4).
The last regatta began in a very similar way with "Clínicas W" in the lead, followed by "Tenaz". The Canarians from "Clínicas W" increased their advantage and said goodbye to this first Spanish Cup with a victory that allowed them to touch the podium just one point away from the bronze. The war for the title was starred by "Tenaz" and "Clarac", but finally and with only one point of advantage the final victory was for the "new" in the class, led by the sailor of the Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria, Javi Padrón with Iago Marra trimming, Pepequín Orbaneja at the bow and the Italian owner Enrico Perrone at the piano. In third position remained "Marnatura" five points behind, followed by "Clínicas W", "Patakin", "Noticia", "Hang Ten", "Abril Rojo", "Pazo de Cea" and "Cobra" who closed the top ten.
New collaborations and sponsors in J70
The national J70 class closed interesting sponsorship agreements with leading companies in the sector in the days prior to this Spanish Cup and the top ten finishers were awarded. The winner "Cosmética Clarac" obtained the prize provided by North Sails Spain. The runner-up "Tenaz" won the Villalia Luxury Suites prize, consisting of a luxury stay on the Island of La Toja, for the next Spanish Championship. "Marnatura" won a fantastic Quatix smartwath courtesy of Garmin and Seguros Náuticos Nautia gave the fourth prize consisting of a comprehensive insurance to the Canarian team of "Clínicas W". In fifth position, the sailmaker Rath & Horn awarded "Patakin" with personalized travel bags. "Noticia", sixth, won personalized softshell jackets by Óscar Trives, specialist in uniforms for regatta teams. North Sails also gave the seventh prize and it was for "Hang Ten". The eighth place of "Abril Rojo" was awarded with a selection of these and rigging works made by Rigging Workshop of Pancho Budallés. The ninth were "Pazo de Cea" who will be able to enjoy a luxury stay in the rural hotel La Maresita, courtesy of Bodega Can Marlés. And closing the top ten, "Cobra" who returned home loaded with a selection of oils
from gourmet quality olive oil from Aceites Abril.
The Atlantic and Mediterranean fleets have competed in the Spanish J70 Cup, in the waters of Barcelona.
Spanish Cup and Catalonia Championship
Coinciding with this Spanish Cup, the fifth edition of the Catalonia J70 Championship was also held. In order to be eligible for this regional title, at least 40% of the crew must have a federative license from a Catalan club. The podium was formed by "Tenaz" in the first place, second was "Clínicas W" and third were the young people of "Hang Ten"
Important regattas ahead
In Barcelona, next weekend the 50th edition of the Conde Godó Sailing Trophy will be held, where the J70s will participate again and this time with a category reserved for women's teams. At the close of this publication, five teams from different areas of the country with relevant women from the nautical scene had confirmed. After the Barcelona event, the national J70 fleet will compete again in the Spanish Championship that will take place on the island of La Toja from June 16 to 18. After this championship, the national ranking of the class in 2023 will finally be known, which will give the places to participate in the 2024 World Championship in Palma de Mallorca.
