The Andaluz of Puerto Sherry ends in place 22 of the general of the European championship, while the regatist of Cartagena does in the 15 of females (Photo Pep Portas)

The European Optimist Championship is closed and has been in the Bulgarian city of Bourgas since July 31 and it does so with Spain, placing two regatists on the top: Manuel Alvarez-Dardet ends up at position 22, while Marina León does it in the 15 of women. The balance of Spain in the global computation could have been better, although in the end the Spanish fleet has taken note. The start of our boys and also on the second day did not come to take off. From the third day, last of the qualifying round, with six Spaniards in the gold group, the boys began to show their best level, getting an approved in Bulgaria so Spain is classified for the European Team Racing Championship to be held in late August in Ledro, Italy.

On this last day, Spain has little changed, with positive results and others not so much. Manuel Alvarez-Dardet, with a 39 and a 13, closes his participation in the 22 post in Europe (25 in the absolute general, counting representatives who do not belong to Europe). Pau Mesquida has been one of the best Spanish on this fifth and last day. The shooting has signed a discreet 23 but in the second it has harvested a job 9, so it goes up to position 35 (44 absolute general). The Andaluz of Punta Umbria, Ignacio Toronjo (30-42) ends position 39 (50 absolute general).

In the silver group, David Santaccreu finished ninth of the general (seventh of Europe in silver group) after signing two good partials on the last day. In the first one he took the arrival in the sixth place. As far as our girls are concerned, Marina León is able to end up in the 15th place in the European championship, a great result for the carthagenera, although today it has not been his best day. In the first test he signed his worst partial in Bourgas, but then he fixed the situation with a twenty-second place. Two partials that left her positions on the table. Nor did their direct rivals make good numbers, so the carthagenera ended up in that magnificent fifteenth square.

04 / 08 / 2017: Marina León rises until 16th in the European Optimist in Bulgaria

The European Optimist Championship that is taking place in the Bulgarian town of Bourgas is coming to an end. Today the penultimate day has been disputed with two completed tests, highlighting Marina Léon who is placed at position 16 of Europe (18 absolute general), while in boys Manuel Álvarez-Dardet continues to grow, going to occupy square 22 of Europe (29 in absolute general).

Marina León, in the absence of a day, is placed as 16 in the provisional general of Europe (Photo Pep Portas)

Leon has had a two-sided day. In the first test of the gold group was not right and could only end up in position 22. In the second he showed his best version, with a good way out and a serious race that allowed him to be in the head group at all times, ending at post 11. A number that leave it as the best 16 in Europe (18 absolute general) in the absence of one day and with two planned tests. The carthagenera has 86 points, tied with the Turkish Iclal Doga Demirel (17) and very close to the Regatists Lova Forssen (SUE) at 16 with 85 points and Anja Camusso (SUI) and Maaya Shemesh (ISR), both with 82 points at 15 and 14 positions respectively.

Laura Martínez occupies position 43 of the absolute general. Today the shooting has had two discreet partials. In the first test he signed a 38 and in the second 35. Marta Cardona, for her part, has not been very lucky either, ending at 20 and 31 after completing the two tests of the day. In children the Andalusian Manuel Álvarez-Dardet is located in 22 of Europe (27 in the absolute general). Alvarez-Dardet has not been so fine with previous days and it has subtracted positions at the end of the day. In the first he signed a 32 and in the second a 27, that makes it add up to 99 points, but with many options to scale positions if he achieves good partial in the last two tests, as the general is very tight and the margin of point separation is small.

The other two Spanish regatists in the gold group have not been right, it has not been their day. Pau Mesquida ended up in both tests 47 and 49, while Nacho Toronjo made them with a UFD (52) in the first and a 48 in the second. Figures that leave them far behind in the absolute provisional general. In the silver group, the canary David Santacemu is placed up by the 4 and 6 partials on today's day.

On Saturday, the last day of the European Optimist Championship, which has been fighting since July 31 in Bulgarian waters of Bourgas, is being held... two tests are planned.

03 / 08 / 2017: 3 boys and 3 gold girls... The Rojita reacts in the European Optimist

Spain complies with the script in the European Optimist that is being held in the Bulgarian city of Bourgas, by classifying almost all the equipment in the gold group. A last day that has maintained the irregularity of the Spanish team, but improving the partial ones, being able to meet this goal of being among the 51 best in Europe. Manuel Ávarez-Dardet has offered a better version, although in the first test, after a good race has ended 14. In the second much better, ending at post 10, which has made after discards stay at post 26 with 72 points.

The third day in Bourgas has maintained the same tonic, although slight improvement of the Spanish. Marina León, Laura Martínez, Marta Cardona, Manuel Álvarez-Dardet, Pau Mesquida and Ignacio Toronjo are in the gold group and David Santaccreu is classified in silver (Photo Pep Portas)

The rest of the boys have had one result and one not so much. Pau Mesquida, who finished the qualifying round at 46, started the day with a magnificent 9 place, then went down to 18. In this phase it has been charged the partial of 41, result discarded and harvested in the second test, and a 26 in the third. Ignacio Toronjo is the other Spanish who gets into the gold, he does it in position 50 and also with two very opposed partials. First 25 and second 12. David Santacemu, 66 of the general, remains in the silver group. Today it has not been lucky 18-19 and ends with 107 points, the same as six other regatists. The best partial of Santaccreu has been a 14 achieved in the last test of the second day.

The girls are all in gold. Marina León has signed in the first test of the day his best partial, 7 which assured him mathematically to be in gold. In the second test the carthagenera has gone for more, but has had to settle for a 15. These numbers leave it at position 22 with 67 points. The two regialists of the Balearic Islands have also signed a good performance in one test, in the other they have punctured. In the case of Laura Martínez, it was starting very well, 9, but in the second place it was not over 22. It ends at 41 with 93 points. Marta Cardona, for her part, holds position 47. Also one of lime and one of sand. In the first he took the line of arrival at post 13 but in the second at 49. Cardona totals 108 points.

Tomorrow Friday penultimate day and already with the final series. Two tests per day are planned. Spain is starting a new path with the aim of continuing to scale up and end up as high as possible in Bulgaria's European.

02 / 08 / 2017: Second day in Bulgaria and the Red of Optimist still does not react

The second day of the Optimist European Championship, which is being held in the Bulgarian city of Bourgas, has not been bad for Spain, but not good. Better partial ones are expected, especially the conditions of wind and sea prevailing in the Black Sea, good for one of the Spanish representatives.

The day is closed, second in a qualifying round, with two tests in which again Manuel Álvarez-Dardet and Marina Gallego remain the best Spanish in the general of both groups. The Andalusian Alvarez-Dardet, despite falling three posts, maintains its options to be in the gold group. Today it has harvested partial of 17-11, which together with yesterday's results is 48 points.

Manuel Alvarez-Dardet (28) and Marina León (25) remain the best Spanish in the general (Pep Portas photo)

The other three boys on the Spanish expedition are more or less in the same positions as yesterday. Ignacio Toronjo closes the day at position 58, highlighting a partial of 10 in the first test, although later he went down to position 35. It's 88 points in the general. Pau Mesquida, for his part, now takes place at 72 of the General with 98 points, after signing today 26 and 19. David Santacemu is located eight posts behind Mesquida, 80, with partials of 22 and 14 today.

As far as girls are concerned, the Marina León carthagenera remains among the Spanish representatives. Leon has gone up two places in the general, on a day marked by somewhat favourable wind conditions for her. In the first he crossed the line of arrival at the 15th and in the second he crossed at the 22nd so he totaled 67 points.

Marta Cardona is up a few posts and is already in square 49. The shooting has also offered a better image, although its numbers say otherwise. The first was 20 and the second was 16. Laura Martínez did not have much luck today, although she signed a good result in the first test, 16, in the second one went to position 39 which subtracted positions on the table. The bullet is located at position 55 with 102 points. Third day of the qualifying round tomorrow.

01 / 08 / 2017: Discrete beginning of the Red in Bulgaria the European of Optimist

The European Optimist Championship, which is held in the Bulgarian city of Burgas until August 6, closes the first day with two completed tests. Good wind conditions with 15 knots ending in the 20, always of East component, but marked by a short and high wave that has made the regatists work very hard. Good sensations for the seven Spaniards, although the final results do not reflect this. The Andalusian Manuel Álvarez-Dardet is the best Spanish on the boys table, occupying the 22nd place of the provisional general. Alvarez-Dardet has signed two good partials in his group: 8-12, so he stays with 20 points. In the back, another Andalusian, Ignacio Toronjo, is at 62 with 24-20 and 44 points.

The first day is closed with two completed tests, with East component wind that started with 15 knots and is finished in the 20 knots of intensity (Photo Pep Portas)

With slightly more delayed positions, the Pau Mesquida and the canary David Santacabu have finished. The first of them does so in position 81, highlighting a 14 in the first test, while the second is in position 107. In girls, the Marina León carthagenera is the best classified. Leon holds position 27 after signing 11-19. As for the two regimentalists of the Balearic Islands: Laura Martínez and Marta Cardona, the first one closes in the day at position 44 while Cardona does in the 57.

The general of both classifications are led by the Argentine Santiago Palkin and the German Cosima Schuleter. It should be recalled that the European is classified as open, for which non-European countries participate, although they do not choose the title of champion of Europe, in both the male and female categories. Tomorrow, the second day in Burgas, where two more tests are planned.

30 / 07 / 2017: The European Optimist Championship begins in Bulgaria

The second great international event for the Optimist class begins its singlature at the Yacht Club Port Bourgas in Bulgaria with the previous training and development days of the ships and equipment. After the official opening ceremony, which will take place on Monday, June 31, in the centre of the Bulgarian city of Burgas, the time of truth will come for the 260 regatists of 44 countries on August 1, with 5 days of competition in which a total of 10 tests are planned.

The European Championship, which is held at the Yacht Club Port Bourgas of Bulgaria, has the Spanish bazas of Manuel Álvarez-Dardet (CN Puerto Sherry), Ignacio Toronjo (RCM Punta Umbria), Pau Mesquida and Marta Cardona, both of the Nautico S'Arenal; Laura Martínez (RCN Palma); David Santacabu (RCN Tenerife) and Marina León (RCR Cartagena) (Photo Pep Portas)

Spain is present with seven regatists who hope to play a great role, collecting the witness of Maria Perelló, who only a week ago achieved the title of world champion. The Spanish team is composed of Manuel Álvarez-Dardet (CN Puerto Sherry), Ignacio Toronjo (RCM Punta Umbria), Pau Mequida and Marta Cardona, both from the nautical S'Arenal; Laura Martínez (RCN Palma); David Santacabu (RCN Tenerife) and Marina León (RCR Cartagena), under the direction of Ramón Aixemeno and Kiko Ejor.

As in Thailand, much level in Bulgaria so getting to the top ten is already a great success. Aixemeno, in this sense, that "we know that it is going to be a very difficult championship, but the whole team has come with desire and illusion to face the Bulgarian meeting... the conditions of Bulgaria are more technically favourable to the Spanish regatists than those of Thailand. Here we expect fresh winds and much less current. We come with all the illusion of getting over ourselves and taking more titles for Spain."