The Raquero Cup, held on August 31st, marked the end of the 2024 summer season at Club Nàutic Estartit. This competition, one of the most anticipated events on the Club’s activity calendar, featured the participation of several teams that competed in various elimination rounds, following a format established by the organization and the strict World Sailing regulations for the 2021-2024 period.
The Raquero Cup program
The day began with participant registration at 9:30 AM, during which the teams gathered to formalize their entry and collect the final race instructions.
Following that, at 10:30 AM, the skippers’ meeting took place, where the competition conditions, safety regulations, and technical specifications that the sailors had to follow were detailed. This moment also served as an opportunity to take a group photo.
At 11:00 AM, the boats launched into the water to start the competition. The racecourse required that all buoys be left to port, which tested the sailors’ technical skills, especially during buoy maneuvers.
The participating teams, each consisting of three or four crew members, were previously assigned to the boats through a draw. This practice was implemented to ensure fairness in the competition and to avoid any advantage for the more experienced teams. Throughout the day, the competitors faced off in various rounds, demonstrating their maneuvering skills and strategy under optimal weather conditions, with a southerly wind that gradually shifted to the southwest.
Raquero Cup rankings and award ceremony
Regarding the final rankings of the Raquero Cup and the award ceremony, the winning team was “Vedells Marins,” composed of Rafa Tibau, Pol Tibau, Paula López, and Pol Garcia. This team dominated the competition thanks to impeccable tactics, excellent coordination among its members, and their ability to quickly adapt to the changing wind conditions.
Second place went to the “Alinghi Ratafia Racing Team,” made up of Sergio Juliana, Arnau Burgos, Jorge Ribas, and Luis Bruned. Finally, third place was awarded to the “Sardinetes” team, consisting of Mariona Perez, Miquel Barberà, Pablo, and Cristina Deseura.
After the competition, all participants gathered at the Club’s restaurant for the award ceremony, which took place at 8:00 PM during the popular sardine feast. This event provided an opportunity for competitors, organizers, and spectators to share their experiences and celebrate the conclusion of another summer season at Club Nàutic Estartit.
In his speech, the club’s president, Jordi Ponjoan, highlighted the importance of the Raquero Cup as an event that brings together the club’s members and thanked all participants, organizers, and collaborators, emphasizing the regatta’s value as a symbol of the sporting spirit and maritime tradition that characterizes the club.
The event concluded with a special raffle, where a dinner for two at the club’s restaurant was awarded, a detail that added the finishing touch to a day full of emotions.
The Raquero Cup 2024 thus establishes itself as a key event in fostering a passion for the sea and sailing on the Costa Brava, and Club Nàutic Estartit is already preparing for the winter social activities with the intention of continuing to create events that strengthen the club’s bonds and promote sailing among the new generations.