In an emotional ceremony held at the Club Náutico de Sa Rápita, friends, family and authorities gathered to pay tribute to Nacho Baltasar, the young Mallorcan sailor who has achieved the feat of qualifying for the Olympics in the IQ Foil Class.
Nacho Baltasar, who recently excelled at the Olympic Class World Championships in The Hague (Netherlands), reaching eleventh place in the overall classification, has secured a place at the Paris 2024 Olympics to be held in Marseille, between 28 July and 8 August.
The president of the Sailing Federation, Catalina Darder, joined the celebration and expressed her admiration for Baltasar’s achievements, highlighting the talent and international projection of Mallorcan sportsmen and women. Darder took the opportunity to reiterate the unconditional support of the federation and the sailing community as a whole for the athletes representing the island.
Amidst the applause and feelings of pride, Nacho Baltasar took the floor visibly moved. He was deeply grateful for the unconditional support of his family and friends, as well as for the expressions of affection and encouragement from those present. In his remarks, Baltasar shared his commitment to rigorously prepare himself to face the Olympic challenge with determination and dedication, expressing his desire to give his best in the competition.
The IQ Foil Class is renowned for its demanding and speedy performance on the water. The sailors soar above the sea on fireballs that literally fly on a fin, one metre above the surface. The most intense moments of the competition occur during the manoeuvres around the buoys, where every space counts to overtake the competitors. Baltasar described these moments as crucial and full of adrenaline, where concentration and agility are essential to face the unforeseen challenges of the wind and the strategy of the rivals.
The tribute to Nacho Baltasar at the Club Náutico de Sa Rápita marks the start of an exciting journey towards the Paris 2024 Olympics. The attendees joined in to applaud and support this outstanding Mallorcan sailor on his way to Olympic competition.
Source and Images: Villegas Photo
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