On April 23, the atmosphere was charged with emotion, at the headquarters of the Xunta de Galicia in Praza da Estrela, where the moving presentation of the Match Race 2024 Cigarran Sailing Team taking place on the circuit took place. World Match Racing Tour 2024.
It is a pioneering team by introducing a Spanish group and aspiring to grow in the most prestigious international match racing circuit.
The Cigarran Sailing Team is an ambitious project that aims to contribute to the promotion and projection of Spanish SMEs at the national and international level, the empowerment of sport and the promotion of the entrepreneur as an engine of growth associated with the values of sport.
Cigarran Sailing Team is an independent team that was officially established on October 12, 2023, thanks to the vision of veteran sailor José Cigarrán. It also has the support of the Higher Sports Council, the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation and several patrons.
Therefore, this team has positioned itself as a serious contender on the world stage of regattas and companies such as Cigarrán Abogados, Lenda, Torre de Núñez and Mundo Náutica, together with collaborators such as Tierra y Mar Aventura and the Xunta de Galicia, have believed in the potential of this team and have supported a dream. This is none other than participating in a circuit of great difficulty, not only for attending the tests, but also for the high level of competition, given that it is the most tactically difficult circuit in the world, combining regulations, navigation and coordination of a team. After the Copa América, also a match racing circuit, it is probably the most important circuit.
The team is made up of five outstanding national and international sailors: Oscar Comesaña, Manuel Martínez, Cesar López Estévez, Jorge Cigarrán and José Cigarrán himself. All of them are champions in various international, world and local classes. Their passion and commitment are palpable. As a project of national interest, the Cigarran Sailing Team promotes values such as teamwork, perseverance, camaraderie and sporting excellence. This talented team will compete in events in Montenegro, Italy, France, Poland and other notable places on the international circuit.
José Cigarrán, in his role as skipper, expressed his ambition to establish continuity in this relevant project, with an eye toward future editions of the WMRT. “This is a dream, an illusion, come true,” he stressed and then thanked his patrons and collaborators for their unconditional support. “In this first year of the team, our intention is to consolidate ourselves in match racing, learn everything possible and rise in the world ranking,” he added and then recalled that “despite the fact that Spain has an Olympic medal in this discipline “Match racing is not a known discipline nor is it practiced in this country, so the team is determined through its passion to make this discipline known to everyone.”
In an environment full of expectations, enthusiasm and optimism, the Cigarran Sailing Team has presented itself this week to the authorities and the media and has positioned itself as a benchmark in the world of national sailing, demonstrating its ability to face this challenge. with determination and passion, making it clear that they are ready to face the best teams in the match.
The final cherry on top was the team’s godmother, Tamara Echegoyen, Gold medalist in London 2012, in the match racing discipline. She sent an emotional statement of encouragement to the team, where she highlighted the sacrifice in training and discipline in the water, wishing everything to go well.
