València officially launches the 2026 Valencian Community Youth Olympic Week
by Pep Portas 12 Feb 07:06 NZDT
12-15 February 2026
29er fleet at Real Club Náutico de Valencia © RCNV
The Real Club Náutico de Valencia (RCNV), one of the host venues alongside RCN Dénia, RCR Alicante, RCN Torrevieja, and Marina Portet, will begin its series of regattas on Thursday, February 12. The event will run through Sunday, February 15.
The Real Club Náutico de Valencia (RCNV) opens the curtain on the 2026 Comunitat Valenciana Olympic Week Youth edition. Organized by the Valencian Community Sailing Federation, the regatta will be held across five venues: RCN Valencia, RCN Dénia, RCR Alicante, RCN Torrevieja, and Marina Portet, and is structured in two phases.
The first phase begins this Thursday, 12 February, and runs through Sunday, 15 February, with RCN Valencia taking a leading role by launching the competition with the double 29er class as part of the Eurocup 29er. The ILCA 4 class will join the racing on Friday. Meanwhile, alongside the Valencian club, the clubs in Alicante and Torrevieja will host the 420, BIC Techno, and iQFoil Youth classes during these days..
The second phase will take place from 19 to 22 February at RCN Dénia and Marina Portet, featuring the ILCA 6, ILCA 7, iQFoil, and Formula Kite fleets.
Valencia, the capital of the Turia, will host one of the strongest and most prestigious fleets, the 29er class, as part of the international Eurocup circuit. A total of 278 sailors (139 boats) from 18 countries have traveled to RCN Valencia, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Great Britain, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland, Sweden, and the United States.
The level of the fleet is very high, with the return of the 2021 world champions in Valencia standing out. The duo formed by Mateo and Simón Codoñer are back on the boat that brought them glory, competing at home and in front of their home crowd. They will not be the only favourites, as countries such as France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Poland are sending a large number of sailors and will be rivals to be reckoned with.
As for the ILCA 4 fleet, with 56 entries, there are some notable absences, such as the newly crowned Spanish champions. However, the U18 bronze medallist, Blanca Ferrando, and the U16 champion, Marta Ferrando, both from the Real Club Náutico de Valencia, will be present.
The weather could be a factor working against them, as forecasts point to variable to strong winds on the first two days.