El Conquistador Pichu Torcida/ ECC VIVIENDAS Wins(Bilbao, Spain)- Past J/80 World Champion, Pichu Torcida, can seem somewhat invincible sometimes; sailing his trusted ECC VIVIENDAS J/80 to yet another regatta win against another field of strong Spanish J/80 teams. Pichu managed to overcome late challenges from NILFISK, sailed by Catalonian Olympic Medalist Jose Maria van der Ploeg. During the three days of the regatta, Torcida never dropped below fifth place and finished with 15 points. Meanwhile, Van der Ploeg sailing for the Club Nautico El Balis of Barcelona, finished with just 16 points after an intense struggle on the water with Torcida. Completing the podium was RAITAN sailed by Amaliach Gonzalez with 20 points. The first three teams had a thrilling final day to determine the champion and the podium outcome.
This year's Copa de Espana had 32 teams participating. After the top three, fourth was Paul Santurde's GO FIT, fifth was yet another J/80 World Champion, Ignacio Camino's familiar NEXTEL ENGINEERING. Remarkably, even past champions like Jaime Piris on FONESTAR could only manage an eighth. With this practice behind them, the J/80 sailors during the Worlds in Dartmouth will have to again face a well-honed group of sailors from Spain. For more Spanish J/80 sailing information
