The President of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Marga Prohens, visited the Royal Yacht Club of Palma on Wednesday to present an award to young sailor Lluc Bestard for winning his second Optimist European Championship, which he achieved last Thursday in Poland. With this victory, Bestard has achieved an unprecedented milestone for Spanish sailing in this class and confirms the excellent form of the young talent pipeline from the Balearic Islands.
Upon arriving at the Royal Yacht Club of Palma, Prohens was welcomed by the club president, Rafael Gil, along with several members of the Board of Directors, including the first vice president, Alejandro López, and the commodore, Jorge Forteza.
Later, accompanied by the president of the Balearic Sailing Federation, Cati Darder, by the president and first vice president of the RCNP, as well as by board member Hugo Ramón, the president of the regional government presented Bestard with a plaque in recognition of his sporting achievement.
You’re only 15 years old.
During the ceremony, Prohens congratulated the sailor with words recognizing his career and future prospects: “Congratulations, Lluc, on this well-deserved victory. You are only 15 years old and I am convinced that I will congratulate you many times throughout your career, as this is only the beginning. Thank you very much for taking the name of the Balearic Islands so far.“
The president also highlighted Bestard’s role as a role model for new generations of athletes and wanted to recognize the achievements of 11-year-old Jan Palou, a sailor from the Royal Yacht Club of Palma and recent winner of the Spanish Optimist Cup, as well as the work of his coach, Jaume Genovart.
In her speech, Prohens thanked the Royal Yacht Club of Palma and the Balearic Sailing Federation for their work in promoting the sport among young people: “Thank you very much for helping us bring sailing to all the boys and girls of the Balearic Islands. I believe that, together, we are achieving things that have never been seen before.”
The official visit took place in the midst of the MAPFRE King’s Cup, the most important sailing event on the Spanish calendar and one of the most prominent regattas in the Mediterranean. Each edition transforms Palma into a meeting point for sailors, boat owners, technical teams, sponsors, and fans from numerous countries, reinforcing the international position of the Balearic Islands as a destination associated with sailing and sports tourism.
Boosting the local economy
Beyond its competitive aspect, the MAPFRE King’s Cup is a significant boost for the Balearic economy. The arrival of participants and visitors generates high demand for lodging, dining, transportation, retail, and specialized services, while also revitalizing the business of companies in the nautical sector. All of this contributes to increasing the event’s economic impact and consolidating Palma’s reputation as a host city for major international competitions capable of attracting high-value tourism.
Before concluding his visit, Prohens congratulated the regatta organizers and highlighted its growth and consolidation. “It is a privilege to host this regatta in Palma, which puts us on the map as one of the most important sailing events in the world. It is a competition that year after year becomes more and more established, and I would like to thank you all because I know that behind each edition there is a lot of work and dedication.”
