(Santander, Spain)- As part of their sailing development program in
Spain, the local J/80 fleets support and help train not only youth
sailors, but their college sailors to compete in regional, national and
European collegiate events.This past weekend, the Santander J/80 fleet played host for the European Cup collegiate qualifier for Spain. The sailors had a great sunny day racing three races in 10-14 knot northeast winds. It was a good test to determine the top two qualifiers for the university European Cup. All the racing was windward-leeward courses set in the Windward Channel and off the beach of La Magdalena in Santander.
The crew from the University of Cantabria skippered by Jesus Gonzalez-Amaliach have earned the right to represent the University of Cantabria in the European Cup, the top intercollegiate keelboat regatta in Europe to be sailed in the J/80 class and held in Cherbourg, France later in March.
Sailing
their J/80 RAITA, Jesus and crew managed to win all three races,
although the Team University RHINE, with Victor Paya at the helm, did
not make things any easier for them! In the last two races the two boats
finished overlapped! There was a nice race for third place among Team
MERCEDES BENZ and Team POPPEA. Ultimately, it was Jose Francisco Garcia
de Soto on MERCEDES BENZ that took third place with a 4-3-3 score over
friendly rivals Ignacio Pereda on POPPEA that sailed to a 3-4-4 record.The Race Committee of the Real Club Maritimo Santander ran a great event, getting all three races off in less than four hours. Chair of the event was the manager of the RCMS and president of the Spanish Association of J80, Alejandro Diaz. For more Spanish J/80 College Racing information.
