The sailors in the Valencia  Europe class team played an excellent role in the Spanish Cup disputed between 28th  April and 1st  May at the Club Nautic Port d’Aro. With a turnout of 73 racers, and 7 races held, the Dane Sven Stadel became champion of the overall absolute. Ascension Roca de Togores,of the  RCN Torrevieja, was the undisputed women champion, while Alejandro Pareja, NC Santa Pola and Mercedes Fernandez, took the podium in the categories of Junior Men and Junior Women. They were the best, but the whole team made an extraordinary competition under the direction of the coaches from Alicante and Torrevieja.
On Sunday, due to strong waves breaking at the mouth of the harbour, we could not go to sea, therefore postpoining  the beginning of the first trial to the next day.
The strong south wind up to 25 knots allowed on Monday that could 3 tests could be sailed. Harsh conditions in which the experience and physical condition of the sailors was essential. Once the races were complete the sailors arrived in port where they were offered pasta and pizza to recover  energy.
At night, the organisation prepared a BBQ for all racers, parents,  company and staff.
The last day on Tuesday was a day when conditions were ideal for racing; winds between 8 and 14 knots. The Committee did not think twice and announced  four outputs to recover the time lost on Sunday.
The Europe class team of Valencia, with 16 athletes (13 sailors plus their coaches) gave a magnificent performance.
Sven Stadel absolute champion
Sven Stadel, RCN Denia, was the first to open the scoring with a partial victory on Monday. The multiple national and international Europe class Champion at all times assessed his abilities and learned to stand up to an experienced fleet which had to be measured inch by inch. He got repeat victory in the rest of the performance,  and managed to keep his cool to be always placed in the top three, fifth and sixth, and a ‘stick’ with 17 points in the 5th test that may be disregarded. The sum of points placed him in the top of the standings with 18 points, 3 ahead of the Catalan  de Masnou Pau Schilt, and 9 on Alberto Codinachs, of Blanés, who tied on points with Ivan Moreno from Ibiza. Among the top ten, Juan Calvo, RCN Denia, in ninth position.
Roca de Togores the queen in females
In females, the queen again was Ascension Roca de Togores, RCN Torrevieja, who won in her category and seeks to defend her title as champion of the Cup of Spain which was obtained in recent years. Second was Claudia Juan, of RCM Mediterranean and third for Alba Bou, NC L’Estartit.
In Junior Men the best was Catalan Dal Noguer, NC Blanes, followed by local Victor Morato NC Port d’Aro and Santa Pola sailor Alejandro Pareja.
In Junior Women the podium was led by Port’Aro sailors, Andrea Pozo and Cristina Pujol, but a sailor of the RCN Torrevieja, Mercedes Fernandez scored a creditable third place.
The team of the Valencia Europe class, which was run by his coaches, from the RCN Torrevieja and Alicante RCR, is pleased with the results, and content with a race that has tested the strength of this kind, which aims to work to maintain and improve their response in the coming competitions.
Link to article published in World Sports Blogs: