The women's team representing Club Náutico Ibiza and the Balearic Sailing Federation has narrowly missed out on a podium finish at the 30th Gestilar Ladies Cup in Baiona, Galicia.

The Ibiza-led crew finished fifth overall, ending the competition level on 17 points with the fourth-placed team and just one point away from the podium.

After a difficult start, the team produced an impressive turnaround in the final races, finishing third in both of its last two heats.

The result continues an increasingly strong run for the Club Náutico Ibiza women's sailing project, which finished runner-up in the same competition in 2025.

A strong comeback in Baiona

The Gestilar Ladies Cup formed part of the 41st Trofeo Príncipe de Asturias and brought six women's crews together for three days of competition in the waters of Baiona.

All teams sailed identical Fígaro boats supplied by the organisers, creating a level playing field in which tactics, preparation, teamwork and decision-making became particularly important.

The Ibiza team, skippered by Maura Ramón Nuvau, started the competition slowly but improved with every race.

Its four scoring results were sixth, fifth, third and third.

The two consecutive third-place finishes in the closing stages were enough to put the crew within touching distance of the podium.

Just one point from third place

The final classification left Club Náutico Ibiza in fifth position on 17 points.

That was the same total as the team in fourth place, while the podium was only one point away.

The result means that a slightly stronger performance in one of the earlier races could have changed the final classification considerably.

Nevertheless, the progression shown during the event was one of the team's main positives.

After finishing sixth in the opening race and fifth in the second, the crew moved into third place in each of the final two races.

Maura Ramón leads the Ibiza crew

The team was skippered by Maura Ramón Nuvau, with Esther Terrasa, Marta Ramón and Elisenda Torres representing Club Náutico Ibiza.

Maria Palou of Club Náutico Santa Eulària also formed part of the crew, together with invited sailor Cati Havenga.

The combination brought together sailors from across Ibiza and the Balearic Islands for one of Spain's longest-running women's sailing competitions.

The club highlighted the effort and commitment of all the sailors involved in maintaining its women's sailing project at national level.

Difficult wind conditions added to the challenge

The competition took place in challenging wind conditions, making tactical decisions especially important.

With all the crews competing on identical Fígaro boats, there was little opportunity for teams to gain an advantage through differences in equipment.

Instead, positioning, timing, communication and adapting to the conditions became decisive.

For the Ibiza crew, the ability to improve as the event progressed was particularly important.

The final two third-place results demonstrated that the team was able to adapt and remain competitive despite the difficult conditions.

Sofía Toro dominates the competition

The overall victory went to Silleiro, skippered by Olympic champion Sofía Toro.

Toro's crew produced a perfect record, winning all four races contested in the final classification.

Bouvento, skippered by Nuria Sánchez, finished second, while Serralleiras, led by Chilean sailor Amelia Zulueta, took third place.

The result made Silleiro the clear winner of the 30th edition, while the battle for the remaining podium positions was much closer.

A prestigious anniversary edition

The 2026 competition was particularly significant because it marked the 30th anniversary of the Gestilar Ladies Cup.

The event was created three decades ago to provide greater opportunities for women in competitive sailing at a time when female participation in the sport was considerably lower.

It has since developed into one of Spain's longest-running competitions dedicated specifically to women's sailing.

The 2026 edition also included international representation from Chile, adding another dimension to the traditionally Spanish event.

Identical boats put the focus on teamwork

One of the defining characteristics of the Gestilar Ladies Cup is its one-design format.

The six crews raced on identical Fígaro boats provided by the organisation.

That removes many of the equipment differences that can influence results in other sailing competitions.

The crews therefore have to rely heavily on their preparation, tactical decisions, manoeuvres and communication.

For the Club Náutico Ibiza team, the format provided an opportunity to demonstrate its competitiveness directly against other leading women's crews.

Building on last year's runner-up finish

The fifth-place result follows an even stronger performance by the Ibiza crew in 2025.

Last year, the team led by Maura Ramón finished second in the Gestilar Ladies Cup with 21 points, behind the crew skippered by Sofía Toro.

Although the 2026 team did not repeat that podium finish, its final two races showed that it remained capable of challenging at the front of the fleet.

The narrow one-point gap to the podium also demonstrates how competitive the final classification was.

A boost for women's sailing in Ibiza

Beyond the final result, the Club Náutico Ibiza sees its continued participation as part of a broader commitment to developing women's sailing.

The project gives local sailors the opportunity to compete at a high national level while representing Ibiza and the Balearic Islands in an important women's regatta.

For young and developing sailors, these competitions also provide valuable experience of sailing under pressure alongside experienced crews from other clubs and countries.

Ibiza leaves Baiona close to the podium

The Gestilar Ladies Cup ended with Club Náutico Ibiza just outside the medals, but the final classification only tells part of the story.

The crew's progression from sixth to fifth and then two third-place finishes showed a clear improvement as the competition developed.

With 17 points, the team finished level with the fourth-placed crew and only one point behind the podium.

After its runner-up finish in 2025, the 2026 result keeps Club Náutico Ibiza firmly among the competitive teams in Spanish women's sailing.

Key Facts

• Competition: 30th Gestilar Ladies Cup

• Location: Baiona, Galicia

• Dates: September 4-6, 2026

• Part of: 41st Trofeo Príncipe de Asturias

• Club Náutico Ibiza result: 5th place

• Points: 17

• Gap to podium: 1 point

• Race results: 6th, 5th, 3rd, 3rd

• Skipper: Maura Ramón Nuvau

• Club Náutico Ibiza sailors: Maura Ramón, Esther Terrasa, Marta Ramón and Elisenda Torres

• Additional crew: María Palou of C.N. Santa Eulària and invited sailor Cati Havenga

• Winner: Silleiro, skippered by Olympic champion Sofía Toro

• Second: Bouvento, skippered by Nuria Sánchez

• Third: Serralleiras, led by Chilean sailor Amelia Zulueta

• Boats: Identical Fígaro boats supplied by the organisers

• 2025 result for Club Náutico Ibiza: Runner-up