Personal Sailing with Iñaki Castañer
He has 9 world titles in different categories, 12 Atlantic crossings, 10 national titles, 30 national sailing trophies as well as a successful career in the world of sailing as a manager, including: commercial management of North Sails for 12 years, commercial management of X-Yachts Spain.
Likewise, as an expert sailor, he perfectly masters the concepts of team coordination and joint effort as key processes for success, knowledge that he has shared as crew chief in Spanish America’s Cup projects and in the 25 sailing teams with which he has collaborated.
“I am pleased to share and apply my professional experience to your sailing projects”
PRESENT: 2024
During the 2024 season he completed the Atlantic Crossing on board CNB 66, owned by a client of I. Castañer-Yachts, achieving a third place in the Loro Piana Giraglia 2024 regatta on board Swan 56 “Intrigue” and also a third place in the Solaris Cup regatta on board a Solaris 58 “Poseidón” owned by a Chilean client.
He organized the 2024 season as sports and tactical director on board the Tp 52 “Urbania”, achieving a first place in the Palma Vela Trophy, as well as a first place in the Mediterranean Championship, also first place in the French Regatta Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez and third place in Conde de Godó in Barcelona. Currently, outside the regatta season, he manages his company I. Castañer Yachts, specialized in the purchase and sale of sailing boats.
IÑAKI CASTAÑER – A lifetime Dedicated to Sailing
As winner of 9 world titles and over 30 national sailing trophies, apart from his successful entrepeneurship in the nautical world, Iñaki Castañer offers invaluable experience when it comes to advising amateurs and professional sailors alike. Equally, as an expert racing sailor he understands the concepts of team coordination and team effort to perfection as key processes for success; knowlege which he regularly shares and teaches in Corporate Teambuilding Activities designed by himself.
Currently Iñaki Castañer runs his own company I. Castañer Yachts Brokerage and Charter and is also representative of North Sails, world leader in the sail manufacturing sector. He has specialized in the management of racing teams and the coordination of sailing related sports events, competing in today’s most important national and international races.
TRAJECTORY: BEGINNINGS – 2014
Iñaki Castañer, professional sailor, holder of 8 World Championship titles and currently CEO of I. Castañer Yachts Brokerage and Charter. This company focuses on Brokerage of Sailing Yachts, with distribution of several leading brands such as Solaris, Dehler, Hanse, Bali Catamarans and North Sails, and a portfolio of recommended second hand yachts selected with expert criteria.
He started to sail professionally as part of the Spanish Navy aboard the Sirius III and Sirius IV in 1986 and 1987 winning 2 world sub-championships in the One Tonner class. In 1987 and 1988 he was hired by the Spanish Navy as the civilian responsible for the construction and preparation of the first Spanish Maxi in the history of regattas, named Hispania. In 1989 he was selected by the company Tabacalera to become part of the crew representing Spain aboard of the Maxi Fortuna in the Whitbread Round the World Race.
From 1990 to 1992, Iñaki Castañer sailed with the Bribón, mastered by HRH Juan Carlos I, winning 2 titles of the King’s Sailing World Cup (Copa del Rey de Vela). In 1990 he achieved, in the role of skipper of the Danish ship Lone, the frst position in the ¾ Ton World Championship and the trophy of the King’s World Cup. In 1991, 1992 and 1993, he won the ¾ Ton World Championships and the ½ Ton World Championship on the “Mar Frío”, in Italy.
From 1991 to 1995, Iñaki Castañer was responsible for establishing the basis and the team of the first America’s Cup Spanish teams, as the crew coordinator and manouver master on board of “España 92”, in 1992, and “Rioja de España” in 1995, in San Diego (USA).
Since 1993, after completing the European Sailing Tour on board of the “Galicia 93”, he started organising his own projects as skipper and sports director. From 2000 to 2008, Iñaki Castañer coordinated the construction and management of his 14 regatta boats; and between 2006 and 2009 he managed and participated together with ONO, his sponsor for 9 years, as skipper and sports director in the most important regatta circuit of the world, the MED CUP, aboard the TP 52 “ONO”.
Since 2009, Castañer was responsible for organising and managing British sailing teams in international circuits such as GBR Peninsula Petroleum (GP 42 and RC 44.) and Aegir (MINI MAXI). In both teams, Castañer’s worked as tactician and skipper in the Match Race modality. During seasons 2013-2014, he obtained outstanding positions in Spain and South America’s most important regattas, coming first as skipper aboard the Soto 40 Apolonia in Chile, one of the most prestigious regattas in South America held in Patagonia (Chile), and third in Europe’s ORC Championship (Valencia). He also came first aboard the Xp 38 in the Conde de Godó Trophy and Palma Sailing Trophy, and second in Copa del Rey.
TRAJECTORY: 2015-2019
The following seasons 2015 and 2016 Iñaki has taken part in the entire Mediterranean Circuit aboard the British vessel Koyama, standing out in the ORC World Championship and the “Copa del Rey de Vela”. He also participated as tactician aboard the Xp 38 “Extreme Ways” with an American crew, obtaining first place in the Conde de Godó 2015, third place at the ORC European World Championship in Greece and first place at Marmaris Race Week 2016 in Turkey. Following these lines, as tactician and project manager aboard the Baltic 47 “Klasajan” he reached first place in the Trofeo Sant Joan.
In 2017, Iñaki Castañer was appointed official commentator for RTVE (Spanish State Television) for the America’s Cup 2017. In the realm of competition he attained multiple victories, including 1st place in the Ruta de la Sal regatta as tactician aboard the new Baltic 61 “Klasajan”; 1st place aboard the Soto 40 “Castañer Yachts” as skipper in the Intercontinental Trophy Marbella-Ceuta, 1st. place as tactician aboard the Xp 38 “Extreme Ways” at the Marmaris Race week and further 1st place at Aegean Race Week, 1st place aboard the 6M “Maybe” at Prince of Asturias Trophy and HRH King Juan Carlos Trophy. The season culminated with the victory of the 6M World Championship in Vancouver, Canada, aboard the 6m “Bribón” with HRH King Don Juan Carlos.
In 2018 Iñaki got the 1st. place ay king’s cup on board the international 6M Bribón. Another 1st. placed on board the Swan 65 Six Jaguar in the Swan Cup 2018 playing the role of tactician and sports director. Participated on board the SWAN 54 “Intrigue” as a tactician and sports director in the Palma Vela Trophy, 2nd place in the Conde de Godó Trophy aboard the X 41 “Mihaja”. 2nd place aboard the Baltic 61 “Klajasan” in the San Joan Trophy and 3rd. classified on board the boat Xp 44 “X Patriate” with American flag in the regatta around Ibiza 2018. It is important to unite his participation as project manager and tactician in the Maxis World Championship in Porto Cervo on board the Swan 65 “Six Jaguar”.
In 2019 it is worth mentioning his participation as a tactician and sport director in the St. Maarten Heineken Trophy aboard the «X-Patriate» where he got a 3rd. place, with an entire American crew. Also win a 2nd place in the City of Malaga Trophy, aboard of Dehler 36 “Aquilón” and a first place aboard Baltic 61 Klajasan in the San Joan Regatta. First place in the 6 M World Championship on board of Bribón de Y.M. King Don Juan Carlos in waters of Finland, and a third place on board the Swan 65 “Six Jaguar” boat at the MAXIS World Cup Porto Cervo in Italy.
TRAJECTORY: 2020-2023
During 2022 and 2023, Iñaki Castañer alternates his time as CEO of the company I. Castañer -Yachts, official distributor of Hanse, Moody boats, and launches the Urbania project as sports director, participating in the Rolex Circuit ORC World Championship, achieving first place in the Palma Vela Trophy and the Vuelta Ibiza Regatta and proving to be one of the most competitive and promising teams on the Spanish professional sailing regatta circuit.
