The Mar Menor hosts the European Class A Championship with 79 boats from 19 countries. Among the favorites are the Spanish Gustavo Doreste, current champion, and the Polish Jakub Surowiec. The event attracts tourism and sporting attention, boosting the local economy and interest in water sports in the region.
Innovation in monohulls: technology applied to competition ⛵
Class A boats are 5.5-meter monohulls with a catboat rig. Their design prioritizes structural rigidity and aerodynamics, using materials such as carbon fiber and Kevlar. High-modulus sails and carbon masts allow precise real-time adjustments. Onboard electronics include GPS and anemometers to optimize routes during races.
Tourists confuse sailing with paddle surfing 🏄
While the 79 sailors battle for the podium, some absent-minded bather has already tried to climb onto a Class A thinking it was a giant paddle surfboard. Local lifeguards recommend not confusing a racing boat with an inflatable float, although they admit that seeing a Pole and a Spaniard fighting over a buoy has its charm.