49th Palamós Christmas Race Day 3
by Jaume Soler 22 Dec 2025 05:17 AEDT
19-22 December 2025
After two days marked by a lack of wind at the start of the 49th Palamós Christmas Race, it was not until the third day that sailors finally enjoyed sailing at its best, in the conditions Palamós Bay is renowned for. A south-westerly breeze of between 9 and 13 knots allowed four races to be completed for the 420, ILCA 6, ILCA 4 and Europe classes, and five races for the 29er fleet.
Four Spanish crews and one American crew currently top the overall standings of the 49th Palamós Christmas Race.
Weather forecasts by Enric Agud proved accurate, and right on schedule at 11:00 a.m., the Race Committees led by Lucky Serrano (Bravo course) for the 420 and 29er classes, and Aleix Ballester (Alfa course) for ILCA 6, ILCA 4 and Europe, launched a full day of racing, including the three scheduled races plus an additional recovery race from previous days.
In the 420 class, the largest fleet with 107 boats, the Balearic sailors Asier Jáudenes and Diego Coronado (CN S'Arenal-CM San Antonio de la Playa) took the lead with results of 4-1-6-3, discarding the sixth place. Just two points behind them are their clubmates Aaron Lucas and Nicolás Montoya, while third place is held by the Greeks Iason Paganopoulos/Fevronia Bouzana (NC Kalamaki). The leading female crew is the Greek duo Maria Christina Melaniti/Nefeli Podiadi (Paros NC-NC Kalamaki).
Five races were sailed in the 29er class, which opens its EuroCup 2026 circuit in Palamós. The first leaders are the Americans Braden Ozarski/Bennet Simpson (San Diego YC), whose scores of 4-4-2-2-1 give them a one-point lead over the Dutch brothers Jeroen/Rik Dieperink and the French team Hippolyte Kerfourn/Jules Gautier. The top Spanish crew, Francisco Truyols/Pablo Romero (RCN Palma), sits ninth overall.
In ILCA 6, an Olympic class in its women's version, the leader is Catalan sailor Ricard Garriga (CN Sant Feliu de Guíxols), who posted excellent results of 1-4-2-1, discarding the fourth place to lead by one point over Britain's Toby Wagget (Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club). Third, three points back, is Tom Hakes (Parkstone Yacht Club). The top female sailor is Denmark's Annelie Friis Jensen (Fredericia Sejlklub), currently eighth overall.
In ILCA 4, Catalan Marc Abara (CN Arenys de Mar) dominates the standings with four straight wins, putting him in a strong position to claim the Christmas Race title with one day remaining. Five points behind him in second place is Nerea Obeso (CN L'Escala), while third is clubmate Vladik López (CN Arenys de Mar), seven points back.
In the Europe class, for which the Christmas Race counts toward the national ranking, four-time Spanish champion Ramon Figueras (CN Costa Brava-Vela Palamós) leads after scores of 8-2-1-1, edging France's reigning champion Cyril Richard (CV d'Arcachon) by one point. Third is Spain's women's champion Anna Musatova (CV Port d'Andratx).
Looking ahead to the final day on Monday, the plan is to sail the last three races in all classes, keeping everything wide open in the battle to crown the champions of the 49th Palamós Christmas Race.
Results after Day 3: (top three in each class)
ILCA 6 (35 boats)
1. Ricard Garriga (ESP), 4 pts
2. Toby Wagget (GBR), 5 pts
3. Tom Hakes (GBR), 7 pts
ILCA 4 (14 boats)
1. Marc Abara (ESP), 3 pts
2. Nerea Obeso (ESP), 8 pts
3. Vladik López (ESP), 10 pts
Europe (30 boats)
1. Ramon Figueras (ESP), 4 pts
2. Cyril Richard (FRA), 5 pts
3. Anna Musatova (ESP), 12 pts
420 (107 boats)
1. Asier Jáudenes/Diego Coronado (ESP), 8 pts
2. Aaron Lucas/Nicolás Montoya (ESP), 10 pts
3. Iason Paganopoulos/Fevronia Bouzana (GRE), 11 pts
29er (28 boats)
1. Braden Ozarski/Bennet Simpson (USA), 9 pts
2. Jeroen/Rik Dieperink (NED), 10 pts
3. Hippolyte Kerfourn/Jules Gautier (FRA), 10pts
More information and full results on the event website.