On 8 August, Sa Ràpita became the epicentre of a celebration full of emotions and mixed feelings. Nacho Baltasar, a young sailor aged just 19, was returning home after his participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Although he did not win a medal, his effort and determination did not go unnoticed, and the community that has seen him grow up did not hesitate to pay him a tribute worthy of a champion.
The Club Nàutic Sa Ràpita, which has witnessed his first steps in the world of sailing, welcomed Nacho with open arms. No wonder: the club’s first Olympian was returning home after an intense competition in Marseille. The club’s members’ lounge was filled with friends, family, colleagues and authorities who wanted to show their support at a moment that was undoubtedly as sweet as it was bitter.
The atmosphere was festive, but there was also a mixture of pride and frustration. Nacho, who finished eleventh in the iQFOil Men’s class, came close to fighting for a medal. In fact, his performance in the last races was impressive: a 13th, a 5th and a 3rd place that put him momentarily among the best. However, a last-minute protest by the Swiss team left them out of the Medal Series. A hard blow for a young man who had worked tirelessly for the past three years to get there.
“These have been days of great suffering,” Nacho confessed in his speech, hinting at the pressure and sadness that accompanied him during those days. But despite all this, his fighting spirit has not broken. “I will keep fighting and the medal will come,” he promised his supporters. These words, spoken firmly, sounded more like a statement of intent than a simple consolation.
The sailor, who at his young age is already number two in the world ranking in his class, did not let adversity get the better of him. Although the blow was hard, his mentality is clear: learn from each situation and improve for what is to come. Los Angeles 2028 is already looming on his horizon, a new challenge that he will take on with the same passion and dedication that has brought him this far.
At the tribute, there was no shortage of words of support from the authorities present. The president of Club Nàutic, Pau Lladó, was proud that Nacho has taken the name of the club to the Olympic Games and did not hesitate to predict that he will win a medal at the next Olympic Games. The mayoress of Campos, Francisca Porquer, also wanted to highlight the pride that the role played by Nacho represents for the whole community, thanking him for the emotions experienced and for representing Sa Ràpita and Campos at an international level.
But perhaps the most significant part of the event was to see Nacho surrounded by the youngest, those little sailors who look up to him and dream of following in his footsteps. Nacho, aware of the importance of being a reference for them, left them a clear message: “Don’t worry if you see me sad, because all sportsmen and women go through difficult moments. The important thing is to move forward and learn from each experience”.
Thus, amidst applause and hugs, Nacho Baltasar said goodbye to his people with the promise of coming back stronger than ever. The road to Los Angeles 2028 has already begun, and although the route will not be easy, the determination of this young Mallorcan sailor is unwavering. Sa Ràpita will continue to support him in every stroke, every manoeuvre and every regatta, confident that, sooner or later, that longed-for medal will come.
Instagram of Nacho Baltasar
Source and Images: Villegas Photo
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