The Mar Menor once again showed its finest side on the second day of the 2026 EurILCA Europa Cup ESP, with a race course that combined technical demands with ideal competitive conditions. The intensity on the water and the consistently high standard of the international fleet made this a pivotal day in the championship’s development.
Weather conditions remained stable throughout, with a wind from 060° ranging between 9 and 12 knots, accompanied by the Mar Menor’s characteristic short chop. This allowed the race committee to complete the scheduled programme, with two races sailed per group, although several general recalls added an extra edge of tension and competitiveness to the day.
As the fleets completed their racing across the two courses, competitors were able to recharge with a hot meal served at around 15:00, in a convivial atmosphere following the demands of the day’s competition.
After two days of racing, the leaderboards make for compelling reading. In the ILCA 4 Girls, Eleni Triantoy GRE leads on 3 points, ahead of Leanne Turrin SUI and Capucine Deltel FRA, both on 4 points. In the ILCA 4 Boys, Alexander Montagu USA heads the fleet on 4 points, followed by Tayfun Türk TUR on 6 and Leo Gosling SUI on 7. The ILCA 6 Women’s fleet is led by Alexandra Lukoyanova BUL on 22 points, with Annelie Friis Jensen DEN on 47 and Hanne Jansch GER on 59. In the ILCA 6 Men, a Spanish clean sweep sees Nikko Palou ESP on 6 points leading Juan Bennassar ESP and Manuel Garcia Lorente ESP, both on 7. Finally, in the ILCA 7, Semen Khashchyna UKR holds the top spot on just 3 points, with Quim Ferrer Homs ESP on 8 and Guillem Dengra ESP on 9.
Racing continues today with further races scheduled across all fleets. Tomorrow brings the final day of competition, when the champions of the 2026 EurILCA Europa Cup ESP will be decided.
Report by Agustín Argüelles – EurILCA | Source: FVRM | Photos by Estación Náutica Costa Cálida.
