The City Council of Santander has announced that it will award the Gold Medal of the City to the Real Club Marítimo in recognition of its centenary, which will be celebrated in 2027. Mayor Gema Igual communicated this decision to the club's representatives during a meeting held at the club's headquarters.
The proposal has received unanimous support from all municipal political groups. Present at the meeting were the club's president, Fernando Pereda; commodore José Luis Gómez; and vice-presidents José María Torcida and Miguel Sanchez. During the gathering, the mayor was also introduced to the commemorative programme for the club's 100th anniversary, which was founded on 13 October 1927.
Mayor Igual congratulated the club's representatives on this milestone and explained that the council aims to acknowledge the club's significant contribution to the history of Santander, its bay activities, and the development of water sports, particularly sailing, which has brought numerous successes to the city. She noted that this recognition expresses the gratitude of the people of Santander towards an institution that is an integral part of the city's heritage.
She emphasised the close relationship between the City Council and the Real Club Marítimo, a collaboration that intensified during the 2014 World Sailing Championships, which the club helped organise and marked a turning point for Santander's international profile as a venue for nautical competitions. The mayor highlighted the club's role in preserving the sporting legacy of that event, particularly through the International Sailing Week of Santander, which will celebrate its twelfth edition in 2027.
Mayor Igual acknowledged the commitment of successive management teams in maintaining this event and the joint efforts with the City Council to promote sailing and leverage the bay's potential for hosting national and international competitions.
The centenary celebrations will also feature significant sporting events, including the J80 World Championship, scheduled to take place from 25 June to 3 July 2027, attracting crews from various countries to Santander's waters. Prior to this, the Real Club Marítimo will host the Spanish Championship for the same class from 10 to 13 June, serving as a preparatory event for local crews.
The mayor stated that these competitions “will enhance Santander's presence on the international sailing calendar and encourage the arrival of athletes, technical teams, and supporters, contributing to the city's tourism and economic activity.” She expressed municipal support for the centenary sports programme and thanked the Board of Directors for collaborating with the City Council in preparing for a celebration that extends beyond the sporting realm due to the club's historical ties with Santander.
Among the planned events for 2027 are nautical talks on the history of sailing at the club, the screening of a documentary about the club's history during the Film Week, and the publication of a commemorative book. Finally, Mayor Igual conveyed the City Council's willingness to continue supporting the promotion of sailing and the nautical activities organised by the club, expressing gratitude for the organisational effort required for the centenary celebration, which will allow the entire city to share in the club's 100 years of history.
