Storms and rough seas along the entire Spanish coastline have forced several regattas to be called off as well as training sessions planned for our team. As a result, they’ve had to focus more on physical preparation and getting their boat ready for the start of the season, with far fewer hours on the water than expected — and than they would have liked.
After two training sessions in Valencia, they headed to the tenth edition of the Oseberg Challenge, regatta that took place in the city of Motril, where more than fifty boats and over one hundred sailors took part. The high level of the competitors — coming from Norway, France, the Balearic Islands, and many parts of mainland Spain, including a world champion and an Olympic sailor, provided the perfect setting for our team’s second season debut.
The weather forecast only allowed for two races on Saturday. The sunshine and fifteen knots of wind provided the ideal conditions for their kick off. Martín and Beatriz fought for first place and managed to hold it until the final mark, finishing the race in second position. Due to a lack of wind on Sunday and a wrong tack choice in the first race, they ended the regatta in ninth place overall.
The ‘Green Jib Race’ was held in the harbor — a special race open only to the top twelve teams, run in short knockout heats until a final between the three previous winners. Sailing Team CETIL came out on top, winning the Green Jib trophy along with a green jib signed by all participants of the Oseberg Challenge.
With the first trophy of the season in hand and a busy calendar ahead, our sailors are preparing to compete in as many events as possible before the final world championship qualifier: the Spanish Cup in Los Nietos, taking place during Easter week.
We’ll keep you posted!
