September 11th, 2023

From Thursday, September 7th, to Sunday, September 10th, the waters of L’Escala have been the setting for the European regatta of Wētā dinghy trimarans. The Club Nàutic L’Escala and the exclusive importer and distributor of these boats in Spain RS Veleros were the organizers of the 2023 Wētā Europa Cup. The competition received collaboration from the L’Escala City Council, Wētā Marine, the Catalan Sailing Federation, the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation, and Ports de la Generalitat.

Gerard Daugey from CVSQ was the absolute champion and winner in the individual category of the event, which featured more than 20 crews from Catalonia and France, as well as representatives from countries such as the Netherlands and Australia. In his division, Christian Chapelin from CVML, who finished third overall, and Australian Paul White from the Woollahra Sailing Club, who ranked fourth in the fleet, completed the podium.

Among the double crews, victory went to Rémy Landier and Anne Etienne from CNEV Esparron de Verdon, who finished second overall. The second place was for Alexis and Jeremie Bricout from YCBL France, and the third, for Philippe Genestier and Helene Guerin from CNV Aix les Bains.

The fleet completed a total of 10 scoring races over three days of competition, characterized by a variety of proposed routes and good weather conditions.

The 2023 Wētā Europa Cup began on Thursday, September 7th, with a day dedicated to two initial training races, a skippers’ meeting, and an opening ceremony that brought sailors and organizers together around L’Escala’s best ambassadors, anchovies, and a glass of cava.

The competition officially started on Friday, September 8th, with four races of the upwind-downwind type sailed in light winds of 90-100 degrees at speeds of six to eight knots.

On Saturday, September 9th, the fleet completed the double passage from L’Escala to Roses and back to L’Escala to score two new races with thermal winds that allowed both routes to be completed in less than an hour, with about eight knots of intensity on the way out and about 12 knots on the return. After an intense day on the water, they gathered again in the evening to enjoy a good dinner together at the Pizza Pazza restaurant in L’Escala.

The final day featured four new raid-type races, circuits between buoys characterized by their short duration, which were held in very similar conditions to the previous day.

The prize-giving ceremony, held on Riells Beach at around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, marked the end of four days of sailing, fun, and many emotions. The event featured speeches from the commodore of the Club Nàutic L’Escala, Gerard Marín; Toni Castells representing RS Veleros; Philippe Genestier, president of the Wētā class in France; and L’Escala Mayor Josep Bofill.

By CLUB NÀUTIC L'ESCALA