It’s been great to spend most of the last month in Palma, the British sailing team’s home from home in Majorca. Our base for the 1st European Regatta of the World Cup is Arenal, which delivers an odd mix of German Holiday makers, avid cyclists on winter training camps and finely tuned athletes and not so tuned coaches.
The 1st port of call for the sailors is often the Gym on the high street. It’s the kind of testosterone fuelled environment that puts so many people off gyms but it’s incredibly friendly place with old machines and BIG guys lifting weights in some truly stupid outfits!
Next it’s the Baguette shop for a Boccadio jamon-Sarano e Queso and possibly a cup of tea next door at the Scouce Bar. This is a favourite hangout for the sailors although you can’t help but smile at the irony of Olympic athletes drinking tea at a football bar for Brits on tour. It always surprises me that people will always search out a piece of home when abroad. The high street in Arenal is full of German, Irish and Dutch Bars without a hint of authentic Spain. I think the best comment I heard was from a lad on Holiday from Leister who said “what, Palma is on an Island!”
The most impressive part of Palma is the quality of the sailing clubs. The city is one of the hubs of Spanish sailing and it’s where the King races his own yacht. Each of the club’s that host this regatta are superb facilities, build for purpose and not as Golf clubs by the sea!
Next stop Hyeres near Toulon in the south of France!
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