The quarry opens the year in the waters of the Bay of Cadiz

The quarry opens the year in the waters of the Bay of Cadiz

The Andalusian Excellence Cup kicks off this Thursday in El Puerto de Santa María with the CN Puerto Sherry.

Around 200 sailors from 8 autonomous communities and 6 countries are competing for the first titles of the year.

January 1st, 2025 – A big change of year in Cadiz waters, where the 11th Ciudad del Puerto Regatta, included in the exclusive Optimist Excellence Cup Trophy for the last eight years, will start this Thursday, January 2nd, 2025. The regatta organised by the CN Puerto Sherry brings together around 200 sailors from eight autonomous communities and six countries, in one of the most eagerly awaited events for the junior sailors. The regatta forms part of an exclusive circuit of six regattas held in different parts of Spain, of which two have already been held, one in Vigo and the other in Palma de Mallorca. The Andalusian regatta will mark the halfway point of the circuit and will pass the baton to Torrevieja, Palamós and Valencia.

The regatta stands out for the dates and also the age of its participants, under 16 years of age, which means that it not only attracts promising young sailors, but also their families, creating a unique and very special atmosphere. The arrival of children and their companions in the city is also a significant boost to the local economy, with an increase in tourist activity and hotel occupancy, while contributing to the promotion as a destination for sport and leisure in a privileged environment.

In sporting terms, the participants will compete for the titles of the Ciudad del Puerto regatta for the winners in the Under 16, Under 13 and Under 11 categories, both male and female, and the Excellence trophy for the overall winner. The Ciudad del Puerto Regatta, which has been held uninterruptedly since 2014, took a qualitative and quantitative leap in 2018 when it was included in the exclusive Excellence Cup circuit, a place to which it has not ceased to belong given the success of its organisation, the first years by the RCN of El Puerto de Santa María and since 2023 under the organisation of the CN Puerto Sherry and now from its renovated facilities on the asphalt beach of the marina.

In its organisation, the City Council of El Puerto de Santa María, the Diputación de Cádiz, the Junta de Andalucía, Puerto Sherry, the Spanish International Optimist Class Association (AECIO), the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation (RFEV) and the Andalusian Sailing Federation (FAV) are collaborating in its organisation.

The first start is scheduled for this Thursday at 13:00 with three races on the schedule, the same each day until a maximum of nine races are completed, conditions permitting. In this respect, the weather forecasts announce three sunny days and winds of 10 knots of average intensity.