The Palamós Christmas Race finally experienced an authentic day of sailing on its third day of competition. A southwest wind of between 9 and 13 knots made it possible to compete in four races for the 420, ILCA 6, ILCA 4 and Europe classes, and five races for … the 29er, which brings activity and emotion to the bay of Palamós.
The weather forecast was precisely met and, at 11:00 a.m., the race committees began an intense day that included the three scheduled races plus recovery from a pending task. Result: a complete turnaround in the general classification, with four Spanish crews and one American crew placing at the top of their respective classes.
In 420, the largest class with 107 boats, Balearic Asier Jáudenes and Diego Coronado (CN S’Arenal–CM San Antonio de la Playa) are in the lead, closely followed by teammates Aaron Lucas and Nicolás Montoya (CN S’Arenal). The provisional third place goes to the Greeks Iason Paganopoulos and Fevronia Bouzana, while the best women’s team is also Greek, with Maria Christina Melaniti and Nefeli Podiadi.
The 29er, which opens the EuroCup 2026 in Palamós, is led by the Americans Braden Ozarski and Bennet Simpson, with a minimal advantage over the Dutch Jeroen and Rik Dieperink and the French Hippolyte Kerfourn and Jules Gautier.
In ILCA 6, the Catalan Ricard Garriga (CN Sant Feliu de Guíxols) took the lead ahead of the British Toby Wagget and Tom Hakes, while the best female is the Dane Annelie Friis Jensen. In ILCA 4, Marc Abara (CN Arenys de Mar) dominates with comprehensive victories, followed by Nerea Obeso and Vladik López. In Europe, four-time Spanish champion Ramon Figueras (CN Costa Brava-Vela Palamós) leads by just one point over Frenchman Cyril Richard, with Anna Musatova third.
The final day, scheduled for this Monday, includes the contest of three decisive races in all classes, with everything still to be decided in the fight for the titles of the 49th Palamós Christmas Race.
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