They are no novelty, but in Spain the multiclase races, that is to say the ones that put aside the two great Olympic sailing - Princess Sofia and Palamós Christmas Race- have shown that they work.

The recent celebration of the MedSailing, which has been held for nine years at the Club Nàutic El Balís (Sant Andreu de Llavaneres), is now in progress. This year in a weekend it has had almost 14 classes, began with J80 on the first weekend and the second incorporated Optimist G1, G2 and G3, Europe, Laser (Standard, Radial and 4.7), windsurfing (Raceboard, TDV, RS: X and Techno 293), Finn, 29er, 420 and Catamaranes Interseries. This year it has had 310 ships in the water.

Sail and Remo, "Sailing & Rowing" as in the 19th century and first part of the 20th century, shake hands at Abanca Week.

But there are other multiclase races in Spain. Between and Galicia, Asturias and Portugal we find the largest race in Spain, the Abanca Week of Vela and Remo, which covers almost two months of competition along the long and wide north-west coast of the peninsula. It involves more than a dozen clubs and classes. It is an authentic sailing and rowing show, unique in the world: ORC and A Two Cruises, Optimise, Laser (Standard, Radial, 4.7, Extreme), 420, Vaien, Cadete, Snipe, Sun 2000, Remo in all its versions and Bateles Who gives more for less?

There is also the Setmana Catalana de Vela, a regatta owned by the Federació Catalana and that cedes the organization for three consecutive editions to a club. He has passed through Sitges, L'Cala, El Balís and this year he has completed his Cambrils cycle. We will see what is the next club that is launched to this exciting adventure, which becomes the great party of the Catalan candle: Cruises, J80, Optimist, Europe, Laser (Standard, Radio, 4.7), 420, 29er, windsurfing (Techo 293, RS: X), Catamarans Interseries, Sailing Skate, Open, Accessible Sailing, 2.4mR and Radiocontrol.

A Hobie Cat and a 29th cohabiting in the Catalan Sailing Setmana. Photo: CN Cambrils

Regatas such as the MedSailing, the Abanca Week and the Catalan Setmana are a clear example of good organizations and are the kind of meetings that the regatists seek, which in addition to wanting to win, which is the premise of every sportsman, what they seek is to enjoy sailing and doing with many classes and ships, where the human component comes to overcome the sports.

And not only in Spain, this is already invented, but they ask the Kieler Woche in Germany, where all kinds of boats live together for two weeks, in which it is one of the largest and most famous races in the world.

Catamarans of all kinds at the IX MedSailing Meeting at the Nàutic Club El Balís. Photo: Cristina Balcels.