Last weekend, the fourth edition of the Spanish Sailing League concluded in the waters of the Bay of Palma. Competition organized by the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation, the CN Altea (headquarters of the first event) and CN Arenal (headquarters of the final phase) with a total of seven participating teams from all over the country. One of the last regattas on the regatta calendar and also one of the most attractive, as the top three classified in this National Sailing League have a pass to participate in the Sailing
Champions League or what is the European Sailing League, reserved for the best teams on the continent.
This year two events of this Spanish League have been held. The first was in Altea during the month of October and now in El Arenal (Mallorca). In total, 42 races were sailed out of the 52 previously scheduled and in the final phase, the weak wind only allowed two of the three planned to be raced. The top 6 classified advanced to the final phase, dragging all the points they had accumulated throughout the competition, and in the final phase races the score was worth double. Thanks to the point advantage that the Valencian team had, it was enough to stay in the lead since its immediate follower, the "Lanzarote European Sports Destination" representing the RCN of Arrecife, could not beat them despite shortening distances in each day and taking the victory in the last final race.
Now it's Europe's turn
After this fourth edition of the League, the best classified teams have the option of competing against the best teams in Europe, many of them professionals and of a very high level. For this there are three semi-finals that they can attend to earn a place in the desired European final. This previous phase will be held in Vilamoura (Portugal) from March 23 to 26, in Berlin (Germany) from March 20 to April 4 and in Sopot (Poland) from June 15 to 18. Those who achieve qualification will have direct access to the grand final that will be held in Travemunde (Germany) from July 22 to 25.
Monotypes so that competitiveness is maximum
In this competition, boats are sailed that are exactly the same. In the first event held in Altea, the Platú 25s were raced, now in El Arenal they have sailed with the Bavaria B-One and in all the events of the European event they compete aboard the J70. But it is not only that all the boats are the same, as in any other monotype regatta, but here the teams rotate boats every two races, so that everyone sails against everyone and in all the boats. This original competition system rewards the value of the crews much more and not so much the set-up of the boats.
