The fourth event of the Barcelona J70 Winter Series, organized last weekend in the waters of the Catalan capital, once again placed the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona as the European epicenter of one-design sailing. A total of 29 ships of 10 … countries – Germany, Denmark, Great Britain, France, Hungary, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Lithuania and Spain – competed in one of the busiest and most demanding winter series on the continent.
The organization managed to carry out 10 of the 12 planned tests, during a weekend marked by very varied conditions. Friday started with a very light wind of 4 to 5 knots from the northeast, enough to celebrate the first two races in which the German Diva team took control of the ranking. The Spaniard Noticia placed second, while the Dane Sassy, with the HSN Sailing Team very close, took third place. The top five was also closed by the Dane Sirena Chico.
On Saturday, the outlook was more stable, with winds of 8 to 10 knots which allowed four tests to be carried out. Diva put in an exceptional performance, winning three of the day’s four races to extend her lead.
The HSN Sailing Team, fifth the day before, made a good start to the weekend by moving up to second position, ahead of Sassy. Sirena Chico and Let it Be were further apart in the fight for the podium.
The last day was the most favorable in terms of weather: wind between 10 and 14 knots and four very competitive final regattas. The HSN Sailing Team shone with two partial victories, but could not snatch the absolute victory from Diva, who closed the series with 28 points, only two less than the Canaries.
The battle for third place kept the excitement going until the end. The Dane Sirena, debuting in Barcelona, was solid and consistent, securing his place on the podium. Noticia finished fourth and Sassy rounded out the top five.
Halfway through the Winter Series, the general classification – after 34 rounds and five retirements – presents a reinforced leader with the HSN Sailing Team (RCN Barcelona/RCN Gran Canaria) which consolidates the lead in the general classification, followed by Bodegas Can Marlès (CN Vilanova) and Let it Be (RCN Dénia).
After the Christmas holidays, the Barcelona Winter Series will return with three more events, scheduled for January (23-25), February (20-22) and March (20-22). The latter will coincide with the start of the Barcelona Spring Series, putting the finishing touch on a winter season that once again consolidates Barcelona as one of the great centers of European sailing.
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