The Spanish 6 Metre boat Bribón secured its fifth European Championship title this Friday on Lake Geneva in Switzerland. The crew, skippered by King Juan Carlos and managed by Pedro Campos, defended the title they previously won a year ago in Sanxenxo, finishing ahead of a fleet of 50 boats from 14 different countries.
Bribón Dominates Lake Geneva to Claim Fifth Continental Title
The victory in Geneva marks a significant milestone for the Bribón project, which has now accumulated five European crowns. These titles were earned in Sanxenxo (twice), France, Portugal, and most recently, Switzerland. In addition to these continental successes, the boat has secured four World Championships, establishing the Galician-based project as a primary reference in the international 6 Metre classic sailing class.
The competition on Lake Geneva was characterized by unstable winds, a factor that Pedro Campos noted forced the fleet to navigate at their absolute limit. Bribón’s path to the title was defined by consistency rather than isolated bursts of speed, maintaining a top position throughout the week to certify the win on the final day of racing.
The winning crew consisted of King Juan Carlos as skipper, with Pedro Campos serving as sporting director. The technical team included Alejandro Abascal at the helm, supported by Ross McDonald, Alberto Viejo, Eduardo Marín, and Roi Álvarez.
The Impact of the Sanxenxo Sailing School
The success in Switzerland was not limited to a single vessel. Titia, another boat from the Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo and skippered by Mauricio Sánchez-Bella, finished ninth in the general classification. According to race data, Titia—the current world runner-up and recent winner of the Trofeo Xacobeo—remained in contention for a podium finish for a significant portion of the event.
Pedro Campos, president of the Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo, attributed the results to a long-term strategic vision. Campos stated that the project began 11 years ago with the goal of returning Bribón to the international forefront of the 6 Metre class. He credited the commitment of King Juan Carlos and the crew’s consistent level of demand for the achievement of five European and four World titles.
Campos emphasized that the combined performance of Bribón and Titia highlights the competitive level of the Galician fleet, placing Sanxenxo and Spain among the global leaders in this technically demanding class of classic sailing.
Bribón’s International Palmarés
The Bribón project has evolved into one of the most decorated teams in international classic sailing over the last decade.
| Competition | Titles Won | Locations |
|---|---|---|
| European Championship | 5 | Sanxenxo (2), France, Portugal, Switzerland |
| World Championship | 4 | Various |
The 6 Metre class is known for its strict technical requirements and deep tradition, making the sustained dominance of the Sanxenxo school a rarity in the sport. The ability to perform across diverse venues—from the coastal waters of Galicia and Portugal to the inland conditions of Lake Geneva—underscores the versatility of the current crew.
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