The Natulim Sailing Team, from the Club Náutico de Sevilla, is the new 2026 Spanish Women’s Sailing Champion. The team topped the overall standings of the Iberdrola League, the top national women’s sailing competition, thus capping off an extraordinary season. The title was decided in the final in Altea, held last weekend.
Five Friends and a Return to Regattas
The team’s story is unusual in elite sports. Carlota Massana, Aina Lleonart, Ana Lobo, Ana Pujol, and Sofía Basterra come from different Spanish cities and have established professional careers. Years after their youth sports careers, they decided to reconnect through sailing and compete together again in 2026—a friendship that began on the regatta courses.
An unexpected medical issue forced Ana Pujol to withdraw from the final in Altea. Claudia Adán, a sailor from Alicante, then joined the team to replace her. What began as an emergency solution ended up becoming an example of camaraderie, trust, and support for the next generation of female talent.
From Getxo to Altea: A Season That Went From Weak to Strong
The Natulim Sailing Team kicked off the season with a commendable fourth-place finish in the opening race in Getxo and continued to improve race after race. This was followed by two consecutive victories, in Calpe and El Arenal (Mallorca), followed by a third-place finish in Vilagarcía de Arousa (Galicia) and a second-place finish in the final race in Altea. That consistency solidified their lead and enabled them to clinch the national title.
“This title means so much to us. Not just because of the sporting achievement, but because of everything that went into it: years of friendship, hard work, balancing family and career, and a strong desire to sail together again. Achieving it as a team makes it even more special,” says Carlota Massana, skipper of the Natulim Sailing Team.
An example of the rise of women in sailing
Beyond its athletic success, the team has become a symbol of women’s growing prominence in Spanish sailing. Its track record demonstrates that high-level competition is compatible with professional development, motherhood, and other personal pursuits, and can inspire new generations of sailors.
The championship also serves as a tribute to the companies that have supported the team throughout the season and that believed from the start in a project based on hard work, excellence, sustainability, and teamwork. They are Natulim, Silbon, SLAM, Natura Bissé, and Polaroid Eyewear.
