The 2026 EurILCA Master ESP / XVIII Trofeo Calella de Palafrugell – Memorial Pitus Jiménez took place this weekend at Club Vela Calella. Lutz Hirsch in ILCA 7 and Carlos Martínez in ILCA 6 were confirmed as overall winners after a windless final day prevented any further racing.
A complete lack of wind on the final day meant no races could be completed, bringing the event to a close with the standings unchanged from the previous day.
Following the sailors’ dinner on Saturday evening –where participants shared experiences and the 2025 EurILCA Master Series awards were presented– the final day began with bright sunshine and a calm sea, mirroring conditions seen throughout much of the regatta. Despite the Race Committee’s efforts, the absence of wind ultimately made racing impossible.
At around 11:00, the ILCA 6 fleet was launched in a very light south-westerly breeze, but conditions remained highly unstable throughout the morning.
ILCA 6 – Carlos Martínez secured overall victory after a dominant performance on Saturday.
With barely 5 knots of wind, the ILCA 6 fleet began a trapezoidal course under extremely challenging conditions. Several general recalls were required due to boats being over the line, as an opposing current made it difficult for competitors to hold position behind the start line.
A clean start was eventually achieved. The fleet then worked slowly upwind in winds dropping to between 3.5 and 4 knots. However, as sailors approached the shortened finish line, the Race Committee was forced to abandon the race following a dramatic drop in wind strength. At that moment, Miguel Álvarez (CV Calella) was leading.
As a result, the overall ILCA 6 standings remained unchanged. Carlos Martínez secured the title thanks to an outstanding performance on the previous day, when he recorded three race wins.
The sailor from the Mar Menor commented: “I’m very pleased with this victory—it was not easy. Hopefully, we’ll have better weather next year.”
Spanish sailors occupied the top six positions overall. José María van der Ploeg (CN Balís) finished second after discard, followed by David González Osende (BISC), Antonio Roig Alegre (CV Calella), Xavier Boluda (CN Balís), and Miguel Noguer (CN El Masnou), who showed strong progression throughout the event.
ILCA 7 – Lutz Hirsch claimed the title in a highly competitive fleet.
Similarly, the ILCA 7 fleet was unable to complete any races despite several attempts. Highly unstable and ultimately fading winds forced repeated postponements and cancellations, despite the Race Committee’s continued efforts to find suitable racing conditions.
With no racing possible, the results therefore stood as they were after Saturday. Germany’s Lutz Hirsch was confirmed as overall winner, expressing his satisfaction with the result: “I’m very happy to have won this competition after several years competing in the EurILCA Master in Calella de Palafrugell. I’m extremely grateful to the organisers for their excellent work.”
Competition in the ILCA 7 fleet was particularly close, with a tie on points between second-placed American Peter Hurley and Spain’s Leandro Rosado in third.
Final classifications – ILCA 6
Women
- Helene Viazzo (FRA)
- Silvia Ravetllat (ESP)
- Isabelle Viazzo (FRA)
Legend
- Miquel Álvarez (ESP)
- Mazereeuw Japp (NED)
- Claude du Cailar (FRA)
Great Grand Master
- José María van der Ploeg (ESP)
- Antoni Roig (ESP)
- Miguel Noguer (ESP)
Grand Master
- Carlos Martínez (ESP)
- Xavier Boluda (ESP)
- Baudier (FRA)
Master
- Roberto Giacalone (ITA)
- Alessandro Pissu (ITA)
- Santiago Twose (ESP)
Apprentice
- David González (ESP)
- Anne Dangy (FRA)
- Ignacio Ivorra (ESP)
Final classifications – ILCA 7
Great Grand Master
- Roberto Bini (ITA)
- José Luis Doreste (ESP)
- Tim Law (GBR)
Grand Master
- Lutz Hirsch (GER)
- Peter Hurley (USA)
- Mike Matan (USA)
Master
- Leandro Rosado (ESP)
- Mario Morllo (ESP)
- Javier Echávarri (ESP)
Apprentice
- Lorenzo Cerretelli (ITA)
The 2026 EurILCA Master Series will continue next weekend with the 2026 EurILCA Master SUI in Lugano, Switzerland. Event information: eurilca.eu/event/377
Keep smiling, keep sailing!
The EurILCA Team
Report by Agustín Argüelles – EurILCA | Source: Club Vela Callela | Photos by Torveo, via Club Vela Callela.
