Snipe World Championship at Club Marítimo Mahón - Day 1
by SnipeToday 23 Sep 06:04 BST
21-26 September 2026
Snipe Worlds at Mahon, Spain Day 1 © International Snipe Class / Matias Capizzano
The forecast for heavy breeze and rough seas delivered in full force for Day 1 of the Snipe World Championship, organized by SCIRA in collaboration with Club Marítimo Mahón.
Two thrilling races were completed on classical triangle courses, offering furious reaches through the waves—spectacularly captured on camera by Matias Capizzano. Crews accustomed to high-wind survival and heavy-air tactics quickly rose to the top, though the action was not without its surprises. Back ashore, the boat park was a hive of activity as sailors worked on bent masts and hull repairs following a few unavoidable collisions on the course.
Looking ahead, Wednesday's conditions are expected to remain from the northern quadrants, though easing in intensity.
Sailor Quotes
Alfredo González (Spain): "We had prepared the whole boat for light wind and the conditions here in Menorca were spectacular—very strong wind and a giant wave. We managed to get a second and a first place, so we are super happy. We know there is still a long way to go, four more days left."
Malena Sciarra (Argentina): "Well, great. We were able to win the first race and we finished fourth in the second. A spectacular day of wind and waves, divine. Honestly, you couldn't ask for more."
José M. Guerrero Macías (Spain): "Well, today, as expected, was the hardest wind day we're going to have all week. And well, the mindset was a bit to save the day, not break anything, and try to be consistent, and that's what we did. We fought through, trying to make a comeback step by step in each leg. It went well and we're really happy, but there's still everything ahead of us, and from experience we know you don't win anything on the first day."
Lluís Mas Barceló (Spain): "The truth is we are happy because the first day of racing is a day where you have to be conservative. There's a lot to lose and you can lose a championship, but you don't win it on the first day, so our decision was to play it safe. We finished eighth and seventh, we are fifth overall, and happy, tired, and satisfied. Now let's see what the wind brings us tomorrow."
Results after Day 1: (top ten, 2 races)
- ESP Alfredo Gonzalez & Cristian Sanchez, 3pts
- ARG Julio Alsogaray & Malena Sciarra, 5pts
- ESP Jose M. Guerrero Macias & Nahuel Rodriguez Perez, 10pts
- ESP Gustavo del Castillo & Rafael del Castillo, 12pts
- ESP Jordi Triay Pons & Lluis Mas Barcelo, 15pts
- BEL Sam Vandormael & Daan Vandormael, 16pts
- BEL Manu Hens & Alexandre Tinoco, 17pts
- USA Ernesto Rodriguez & Taylor Scheuermann, 19pts
- BRA Nick Pellicano Grael & Mario Tinoco, 19pts
- JPN Tetsuo Watanabe & Koji Saito, 23pts
Full Results
Race Tracking
Event Website