Eight Bells: Antonio Espada

The Snipe family mourns the loss of Antonio Espada Tarradelles, who passed away yesterday, November 29, 2025, after a long illness. Espada, a former SCIRA Chief Measurer and a revered figure in the Spanish Snipe fleets, was inducted into the Snipe Class Hall of Fame in 2022.

by Pietro Fantoni 11/30/2025

Antonio Espada was born in Oviedo, Spain, in August 1949, and grew up in Barcelona. A lifelong sailor, his passion for the Snipe began in the 1970s. However, it was his dedication to the technical rigor of the Class that truly defined his legacy.

Espada quickly became a central figure in Snipe measurement, driven by his sharp observation of differences between early boats.

In 1975, through the then-SCIRA Secretary for Europe, Arturo Delgado, Espada obtained the first set of MOI springs to arrive in Europe. He then constructed an electronic timer, significantly boosting the accurate and rigorous implementation of the Moment of Inertia measurement.

His expertise led him to lead the Spanish dinghy sailing measurement committee between 1976 and 1983. He collaborated with legends like Juan Manuel Alonso Allende (1957 Snipe World Champion) and Ted Wells, notably achieving the rule requiring the upper face of the centerboard trunk to be parallel to the Base Line. He was also involved in the IYRU’s first International Symposium on small boat measurement.

After years as the “maestro” of measurers in Spain, solving countless technical issues, Espada was elected SCIRA Chief Measurer in 2012. He developed a comprehensive project for the approval of boatyards and new marking/sealing procedures. Many of his concepts have been implemented, and his proposal for simplifying and standardizing measurements remains a foundational influence on the Class Rules.

His reputation extended beyond the Snipe. In 1992, he was responsible for performing the Lamboley Test on the 470s at the Barcelona Olympics.

Beyond his technical achievements, Espada was deeply committed to the Class’s history and community spirit. Antonio was a key organizer and driving force behind the annual reunions of the “Grumetes del Snipe”fostering friendship and preserving the historical memory of the Spanish fleets.

In 2016, after discovering an old 1935 Snipe in Altafulla, he successfully arranged for its introduction and a Monographic Snipe exhibition at the Museu Marítim de Barcelona.

Our deepest condolences to Antonio’s family, friends, and the entire Spanish Snipe fleets. His precision, dedication, and passion have left an indelible mark on the Class. He will be dearly missed.