The Príncipe Felipe high-performance sailing centre (CEAR) in Santander is becoming the permanent base for team 2032 of the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation (RFEV). The programme for young sailors preparing for Olympic classes aims to increase training from 160–180 to 250 sailing days a year, with accommodation and sustained technical, physical and psychological support.

The centre’s refurbished residence, in the Port of Santander, increases its capacity to accommodate sailors. The new model began rolling out in October 2026, after the championships for single-handed classes.

More time on the water and a permanent support team

Class coaches are supported by Javier González-Pardo, the base coach permanently stationed at the CEAR, physical trainer Danny Mamián and psychologist Ángela Andúgar, whose work will include communication and goal-setting.

Team 2032 during a gym session at Santander’s CEAR.
Team 2032 during a gym session at Santander’s CEAR. Photo: RFEV | Torveo.

Some sailors will combine Santander training camps with sessions at home, logged on the RFEV’s SailData platform. Others, particularly those in double-handed classes, will live at the CEAR for much of the year. Racing rules sessions and workshops on equipment maintenance and rope work will bring all classes together.

Xisco Gil, the RFEV’s director of Olympic preparation, sees the structure as a way to help young sailors move into Olympic classes while combining elite sport with their studies. The programme builds on Spain’s second place in the RFEV’s 2026 world development-class standings.

“We work hand in hand with regional federations and clubs to identify talent and provide a pathway into Olympic classes. This programme makes the best use of the RFEV’s resources so that financial or logistical barriers do not hold back our promising sailors. The sailors’ response at the first training camps in Santander has been fantastic.”

These are the words of Ion Chicoy, the RFEV’s deputy technical director and head of physical preparation.

RFEV covers around 84% of the cost

Selection is coordinated by the RFEV’s technical management and the sporting directors of regional federations and clubs. National-team sailors in development classes are assessed on domestic and international results, then invited to dedicated camps to evaluate their suitability for the programme.

The annual membership fee, usually paid by regional federations or clubs, covers just 16% of the actual cost; the RFEV funds the remaining approximately 84%. The package includes coaching, travel to competitions and training camps, accommodation at the CEAR and at regattas, and entry fees for agreed events. Sailors pay their own living expenses and domestic travel from home to the centre.

They also have access to grants covering 20% of new equipment purchases and scholarships linked to sporting results.

Fifteen refurbished rooms and further improvements planned

The residence’s 15 rooms, lounge and meeting room have already been modernised. The work forms part of a €900,000 investment by Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD) to adapt the centre to athletes’ accommodation, training and shared living needs.

The refurbished façade of Santander’s CEAR.
The refurbished façade of Santander’s CEAR. Photo: RFEV | Mario Setién.

The next priorities are refurbishing the kitchen and expanding the gym. Later phases envisage replacing damaged glazing, renewing flooring and part of the hangar roof, and refurbishing the team’s changing rooms.

The CEAR also receives support from the Port Authority of Santander and the Government of Cantabria. The work continues the CEAR improvements presented to the Government of Cantabria (in Spanish).

For more information, visit the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation’s official website.

The Príncipe Felipe CEAR sailing centre in Santander at sunset. Photo: RFEV | Alejandro Aranzueque.