Marta Mansito: A Rising Star in Sailing Honored at the Canary Islands Sports Awards 2025

The Canary Islands Sports Awards 2025 will celebrate the achievements of young sailor Marta Mansito, who at just fourteen years old, is set to receive recognition as the youngest honoree in the promising athlete category.

Scheduled for 3rd October in Tenerife, this prestigious event will see Mansito honored for her remarkable accomplishments in sailing, which include multiple global, national, and regional titles. Her success marks her as one of the brightest prospects in a sport that has historically seen significant achievements from athletes in the Canary Islands.

Trailblazing Achievements in Sailing

Marta Mansito has made significant strides in her sailing career, particularly in the Optimist class. She achieved a historic milestone by winning the individual world championship in 2024, held in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Additionally, she played a crucial role in the Spanish national team, helping secure gold medals in both the 2024 and 2025 team world championships. This year, she also triumphed at the Spanish championship in Santander, demonstrating her versatility and skill in varying sailing conditions.

Poli Suárez, the Councillor for Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity, and Sports, praised Mansito’s achievements, stating, “Marta exemplifies the talent, dedication, and passion of our young athletes. Her ability to win world titles at such a young age highlights the strength of sports in the Canary Islands and reinforces our status as a global leader in nautical disciplines. With emerging talents like Marta, we are assured of a promising generational shift in sailing.”

From Local Competitions to Global Recognition

Mansito’s journey began at the Real Club Náutico de Tenerife, where she first gained recognition by winning the under-13 Spanish championship in El Masnou in 2022. In May 2023, she represented the Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria at the regional championship, which she also won. Her consistent performance has established her as a prominent figure in both national and international sailing.

After two successful seasons in the Optimist class, Mansito is now preparing to transition to the 420 class, which involves competing in pairs. She expressed her excitement about this new challenge, stating, “This award motivates me for the years to come. Transitioning to the 420 category is a significant shift for me, moving from individual competition to working alongside a partner. I am very enthusiastic, especially with the support of my coaches, including Patri, Wichy, Juan from the Real Club Náutico, and Happy from the national team.”

Memorable Moments and Future Aspirations

Mansito fondly recalls her first world title in Argentina, describing it as a pivotal moment in her career. She emphasized the importance of teamwork in achieving victory, stating, “Winning as a team was one of my greatest satisfactions; it required collective effort. We had an amazing team, and winning made me feel great about myself.”

Reflecting on her experiences, she noted that winning the female competition was particularly memorable, especially in a distant country like Argentina, which she greatly enjoyed. This year, during the World Championship in Slovenia, although she could not defend her individual title, she once again excelled in the team event, helping to secure a second consecutive title for her team.

Mansito also acknowledged the crucial support from her school, Hispano-Inglés, which has allowed her to balance her academic responsibilities with her rigorous training and competition schedule. This flexibility has been essential for her to pursue her sporting ambitions while maintaining her education.

With an impressive array of titles already to her name, including world, national, and regional championships, Marta Mansito is poised to make her mark in the 420 class and aims to represent Spain in future Olympic Games. Her journey not only highlights her individual talent but also reflects the potential of the Canary Islands’ emerging athletes in the realm of sailing.

Key points

• Marta Mansito will be honored as the youngest recipient at the Canary Islands Sports Awards 2025.
• She won the individual world championship in the Optimist class in 2024.
• Mansito secured gold in the team world championships in both 2024 and 2025.
• She has also won the Spanish championship in 2023.
• Mansito began her sailing career at the Real Club Náutico de Tenerife.
• She is transitioning to the 420 class, which involves competing in pairs.
• Her school, Hispano-Inglés, has provided support to balance her studies and sailing career.