Spain secures European sailing triumphs as Optimist team wins Nations Cup and J70 squad finishes runner‑up

The Spanish Optimist national team captured the Nations Cup at the European Optimist Championship in Gdynia, Poland, with eight sailors representing the country. Lluc Bestard of the Real Club Náutico de Palma defended his European title for a second consecutive year, dominating five of eight races and finishing 13 points ahead of Turkey's Ada Vera Tüfekçiler. teammate Lucas Garrido earned a bronze medal in the men’s division, while the squad placed strongly across the fleet.

In a separate event in Barcelona, the HSN Sailing Team secured the European J70 sub‑championship, finishing second overall and sixth in the global ranking that included non‑European crews. HangTen claimed the overall European title, just one point shy of the American team Empeiria. The Spanish double‑trophy marks a historic showing for the nation in senior sailing classes, with Ricardo Terrades of HSN praising the squad’s performance.

Both achievements underline Spain’s growing depth in youth and senior sailing disciplines on the continental stage.