Red Eléctrica, the Redeia subsidiary responsible for electricity transmission and system operation in Spain, is sponsoring the women's sailing team from the Club Náutico de Vilanova (Barcelona) during the Baleària Women's Cup, which begins on Wednesday, 5 August in the Bay of Palma as part of the 44th Copa del Rey Mapfre 2026 regatta.
The Vilanova team is one of 15 competing in this year's Baleària Women's Cup. Now in its sixth edition, the competition has gained increasing international recognition and has progressively helped establish the Copa del Rey Mapfre as a leading international event in women's sailing.

The Vilanova/Red Eléctrica crew is made up of five women aged between 26 and 29 who have all competed in previous editions of the Women's Cup: skipper María José Marichal Villalba, who finished third in the Women's Laser 4.7 World and European Championship in 2014; Miriam Oliva Vidal, winner of the Women's J80 World Championship in 2024; María Cumella Campos, winner of the Spanish Women's Youth Championship in 2012; Beatriz Muro Núñez, who finished third in the Spanish Women's Championship in 2013; and Carlota Sánchez Merino, winner of the Women's Youth World Championship in 2017.

All crews will compete aboard identical BluSail 24 one-design boats supplied by the organisers to ensure a level playing field for all competitors. This format places the emphasis on strategy, teamwork and sailing skill, turning every race into a true tactical contest.

The BluSail 24 boats are equipped with a mainsail and jib for upwind sailing, as well as a gennaker for downwind and reaching courses, delivering balanced and competitive performance in all sailing conditions.

Red Eléctrica's strategic commitment to women's sport and the oceans

Red Eléctrica's support for the Vilanova sailing team is part of Redeia's Comprehensive Impact Strategy, which guides the company's actions to generate a positive, sustainable and measurable impact in the regions where it operates.  Under this approach, Red Eléctrica promotes initiatives that foster social cohesion, local development and equal opportunities, recognising support for women's sport as a key driver of gender equality and a more inclusive society.

In this context, supporting women's sport helps increase the visibility of female talent, encourage women's participation in fields that have traditionally been male-dominated and narrow the gender gap. It also promotes role models who inspire future generations and reinforce the values of dedication, teamwork and perseverance.

Through its sponsorship of the Vilanova women's sailing team, Red Eléctrica reaffirms its commitment to promoting elite women's sport across different disciplines and regions, actively contributing to its visibility and growth.
This initiative also highlights the Baleària Women's Cup at the Copa del Rey as a sustainable competition that respects the natural environment, particularly the marine ecosystem. It is also aligned with Redeia's commitment to marine ecosystems, which is embodied in the Marine Forest platform.

In June, Red Eléctrica also renewed its commitment to women's rowing through its sponsorship of the Red Eléctrica-Kaiku women's trainera, a traditional rowing crew. Thanks to this partnership, established to raise the profile of women's rowing and promote women's access to the sport, the ETE Women's League now includes the senior Red Eléctrica-Kaiku trainera. Recently, the Red Eléctrica-Kaiku women's trainera was crowned winner of the Bizkaia Trainera Championship.

In 2025, Red Eléctrica also supported one of Europe's leading big wave surfing competitions, the Red Eléctrica Punta Galea Wave Challenge, a landmark event for the surfing community that, for the first time, recognised the talent of female surfers.