VILAMOURA, Portugal – Jordi Xammar and Marta Cardona of Spain are currently leading the standings at the 470 European Championships in Vilamoura, Portugal, after a strong showing on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The duo, reigning world champions and defending European titleholders, moved into first place as the competition entered the final series stage. This marks a significant step in their preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games.
The third day of the championship saw Xammar (RCN Barcelona) and Cardona (CN Arenal) climb two positions in the overall classification. They achieved this by posting a fifth-place finish and a first-place finish in the day’s two races. These results, combined with the three points they carried over from the qualifying phase – a new scoring system being tested at this event – propelled them to the top of the leaderboard.
“It’s been an exacting regatta, both physically and tactically. you have to be particularly attentive,” Cardona explained after the day’s racing. “It’s been a long pre-season, and after a long time without competing, we might be a little rusty, but we’ve done good work and we feel technically better than last year.”
The Spanish team now holds a six-point advantage over Italians Elena Berta and Giulio Calabrò, and an eight-point lead over Great Britain’s Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris, who currently sit in second and third place, respectively.
Strong Performance Across the Spanish Team
The success wasn’t limited to Xammar and Cardona. Fellow Spanish sailors Silvia Mas and Alejandro “Tano” de Maqua also demonstrated impressive form, staging a notable comeback to secure seventh place overall. The pair recorded a fifth and a first-place finish in their races on Wednesday, significantly improving their position in the standings.
Meanwhile, Paula Laiseca (RCN Gran Canaria) and Pablo Llorens (RCN Coruña), representing the Spanish team’s 2032 development squad, continue to gain valuable experience. They moved up one spot to 41st overall with finishes of 20th and 11th in their races.
The 470 class is a two-person sailing dinghy, and the mixed event at the European Championships showcases the versatility and skill of the participating teams. The competition in Vilamoura is serving as a crucial preparation event for sailors aiming to qualify for and compete at the Olympic Games.
Challenging Conditions in Vilamoura
The racing took place in the Algarve region of Portugal, with winds from the south-southwest blowing around ten knots. The conditions presented a tactical challenge for the sailors, requiring careful decision-making and precise boat handling. The fleet was divided into gold and silver groups for the final series, intensifying the competition as teams vie for a spot in the medal races.
The current format of the championship includes a qualifying phase followed by a final series. The points system being tested allows teams to carry points forward from the qualifying rounds, adding another layer of complexity to the overall standings. This new system aims to reward consistent performance throughout the entire event.
What’s Next for the 470 European Championships?
The fourth day of the 470 European Championships is scheduled for Thursday, March 12, 2026, with further races planned in both the gold and silver fleets. A maximum of seven races are scheduled during this final series, which will determine the ten teams that advance to the medal races on Saturday, March 14, the final day of the championship. The medal races will ultimately decide the European champions in the 470 mixed class.
The competition in Vilamoura is not only a test of sailing skill but also a crucial opportunity for teams to fine-tune their strategies and teamwork ahead of the Olympic Games. The Spanish team’s strong performance so far demonstrates their potential to contend for a medal at the upcoming Games.
Fans can follow the progress of the 470 European Championships and the Spanish team through official updates from the Real Federación Española de Vela and other sailing news outlets. The event promises to deliver exciting racing and showcase the talent of the world’s top 470 sailors.
