The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta wrapped up in the United States this past Tuesday, offering a glimpse into the future. This event took place right on the water where the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will hold their sailing competitions. For athletes like Portugal’s Mafalda Pires de Lima, it was a crucial test. She sailed hard in the Formula Kite class, finishing a strong 12th overall.
Mafalda’s journey through the regatta showed her determination. In the 15th and final race of the series, she crossed the finish line in 15th place. This result cemented her 12th spot in the overall standings, earning her 120 points. It was a solid performance against a very competitive international field.
The top spots in the Formula Kite class went to some impressive sailors. Jessie Kampman from the Netherlands dominated, securing the win with just 15 points. Right behind her were China’s Wang Si, who earned 40 points, and her teammate Li Wan, who finished with 47 points. The level of competition was clearly high, pushing every athlete to their limits.
Another Portuguese sailor, Luísa Peres, also competed at the event. She took on the challenging Ilca 6 class. On the final day of racing, Luísa placed 30th in one race and 45th in another. When all the points were tallied, she finished the competition in 36th position overall, collecting 275 points.
The Ilca 6 class also saw some intense battles for the podium. Ireland’s Eve McMahon sailed to victory, claiming the top spot with 45 points. Great Britain’s Hannah Snellgrove secured second place, finishing with 56 points. Poland’s Agata Barwinska rounded out the top three, scoring 65 points by the end of the regatta.