The 57th Alicante Maritime Week concluded with a dramatic finish, played out on the very last competitive day. The final testing moment stretched beyond the usual window, as teams pushed hard to beat the clock. Across divisions, leaders confirmed their standings with decisive performances: Adolfo Virgili of RCR Alicante topped ILCA 7, Magdalena Villalonga of CN Port de Pollença won ILCA 4, Francisco Mora of CN Dehesa Campoamor prevailed in ILCA 6, and the duo of Fernando Puig and Kevin Lenis from CN Jávea clinched victory in the 420 class.
The Race Committee faced a challenging sixth day, maneuvering through a wind-rare schedule that made every move count. A southerly breeze drifted in late in the day, barely flirting with 12 knots and prompting the organizers to dispatch the fleet promptly for a fifth race. With margins razor-thin among classes, precision and teamwork were essential, and no mistake could be afforded by any competitor.
In ILCA 7, Adolfo Virgili led the pack with Gonzalo Suárez from CN Altea close behind. The competition remained tight throughout, and Virgili delivered a strong performance that solidified his runner-up position in the overall standings, while Suárez claimed the top qualification spot. Jorge Gonzalvez of RCR Alicante took third overall, competing in both the final round and the main ranking, and earning the under-21 crown. The event opened an exciting chapter for the ILCA 7 Spanish Championships, scheduled to unfold again in the same waters during the Comunitat Valenciana Olympic Week in February.
In ILCA 4, the largest fleet with 72 entrants, Magdalena Villalonga from the Balearic Islands showed notable tempo. She maintained a secure lead on the final day, sealing the championship with relative ease. Victor Selles of CN Santa Pola and Pedro Adán followed in second and third, respectively, rounding out a competitive podium.
ILCA 6 showcased Francisco Mora’s dominance, as he controlled the event from start to finish and secured victory in the final race. Domingo Díaz, Mora’s teammate at RCR Alicante, finished a strong second, underscoring the club’s depth.
In the 420 class, the regatta destination returned to the Tiro de Pichón venue, notable for hosting the World Cup in this category just half a year prior. The ever-competitive pairing of Fernando Puig and Kevin Lenis edged to the top through a tense finish that left them tied on points with Joaquín Valero and Guillermo Rodríguez from RCR Alicante. Puig and Lenis demonstrated resilience in fending off the Jávea duo, who claimed second place, while the Alicante team of Valero and Rodríguez settled for third. The qualifiers also saw Miguel Campos and Pablo Moreno from RCR Alicante and RC Valencia secure the fourth spot, earning them three podium steps across the season. The first female crew prize was awarded to Carlota Gómez and Noor Said Karolewicz, who finished fourth overall, highlighting the depth of talent across the class.
This edition of the Sailing Week delivered weather that tested participants: Friday’s wind was robust, while Sunday’s conditions cooled a bit, shaping the outlook for future races but allowing the Regatta Committee, led by Manel Lligé and Carlos Sardiña, to salvage the schedule and complete four tests on Saturday and one on Sunday.
Looking ahead, the calendar continues with the next waves of competition planned for Saturday, December 16, when the Maritime Week will feature ORC Cruise and Promotion classes with a coastal race off Alicante’s coast, inviting more crews to test their endurance and teamwork in the open sea.