Sanxenxo Regatta Crowns 2026 Circuit Champions Amid Shifting Winds
Nearly 200 boats competed in the Pontevedra estuary for the final round of the Galician High-Level Circuit, with 'Bribon' and 'Okofen' securing class victories.
Key points
- The 11th King Juan Carlos I regatta in Sanxenxo concluded the Galician High-Level Circuit with nearly 200 boats competing across five classes.
- Jane Abascal’s 'Bribon' won the 6-Metre class, while Javier de la Gandara’s 'Okofen' achieved a clean sweep in the J80 division.
- The event crowned the 2026 Xunta President’s Trophy winners, with 'Mirfak' and 'Deep Blue 2.1' taking top honors in their respective ORC categories.
The Pontevedra estuary churns with white hulls and taut rigging. Nearly two hundred vessels crowd the water, their masts slicing through a sky that refuses to settle. Sanxenxo has transformed into a floating arena, the air thick with the scent of salt and diesel, the sound of sails snapping in gusts that arrive without warning.
This is the 11th King Juan Carlos I–El Corte Ingles Master Regatta, the decisive final round of the Galician High-Level Circuit. For three days, race committees scrambled to find consistent breeze, moving fleets across the estuary to salvage the schedule. The effort paid off. Enough races were completed to crown the 2026 Xunta President’s Trophy winners, turning a tricky weather window into a definitive sporting climax.
Dominated by consistent speed
In the Xacobeo 6-Metre class, the 'Bribon' led from the start. Jane Abascal’s helming kept the boat tight to the wind, securing two early victories that set the tone. Despite a line-out in the final race, the team from the Real Club Nautico de Sanxenxo held a four-point margin over 'Alibaba2' and seven over 'Caprice'. Their stability contrasted sharply with the choppy conditions, a testament to precise boat handling.
Javier de la Gandara’s 'Okofen' delivered a clean sweep in the J80 class, winning all three races. The margin was wide, the performance unbroken. Behind them, 'Moura' and 'Namaste' fought for the remaining podium spots, but the gap to the leader remained insurmountable. 'Namaste’ also claimed the overall J80 circuit title, cementing its status in the national ranking.
Tight margins in ORC classes
The ORC fleet offered a different narrative. 'Magical', steered by Julio Rodriguez, seized control in the ORC 0-1-2 class after day two. Four wins out of five races confirmed its dominance, leaving 'Mirfak' and 'Corsario Thunder' chasing shadows. 'Mirfak' also took the overall ORC 0-1 circuit title, a victory that reflects consistent performance across the season.
In ORC 3, the outcome hinged on a single point. 'Urbapaz' edged past 'Nortemar Peperetes' in a contest that saw crews swapping positions with every turn. 'Deep Blue 2.1' claimed ORC 4, while 'Keep Calm' and 'Atxurri' took the top spots in ORC 5-Open and the Veterans’ category respectively. The depth of the field ensured that no lead was ever truly safe until the final gun.
Grassroots roots and local identity
Beyond the trophies, the regatta anchors Sanxenxo’s identity. The Royal Yacht Club, founded in 1951, has evolved from a local hub into a national force, particularly since Pedro Campos took the helm in 1999. The club’s sailing school, operating for over half a century, feeds the competitive pipeline. Children, youth, and adults train in the same waters where the pros race, creating a seamless link between grassroots education and high-level competition.
As reported by Live Sail Die, the event extends the town’s appeal beyond the water. Crews mingle with tourists on the shore, where beaches, gastronomy, and leisure form the backdrop. The regatta is not just a race; it is a engine for tourism and community cohesion, proving that sailing in Sanxenxo is as much about the town’s rhythm as it is about the wind.
