Zan Luka Zelko (Slovenia) and Martina Reino (Canary Islands) took the gold after a brilliant regatta in which neither relinquished their lead. Zelko and Reino collected their trophies as the winners of the Regata de Carnaval Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the first race of the Europa Cup Gran Canaria 2015 in Standard and Radial, the two Olympic categories in the Laser class.
The carnival atmosphere of the Regata de Carnaval was enhanced by a performance from drag queen Kuki at the end of the prize giving ceremony. The organisers’ surprise show captivated international visitors.
150 sailors from 19 countries took part in this final event of the Gran Canaria Sail in Winter series, which opened the Europa Cup this year for the first time. Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria organised the event in conjunction with the European Region of International Laser Class Association (EurILCA) and the Spanish, Canary Islands and Gran Canaria sailing federation, with the support of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Hall and Gran Canaria Cabildo.
EurILCA chairman, Jean Luc Michon, who’s been at RCNGC during the regatta, said it was “a great event with good sailing conditions, providing an excellent outlook for the European Championship 2016”, which will also be organised by RCNGC.
“It’s the perfect spot to prepare sailors who are hoping to secure a place for the 2016 Rio Olympics”, Michon said.
During the three days of competition, all of the eight races scheduled went ahead, thanks to favourable wind and sea conditions. Sailors in the Laser Class competed in the Europa Cup and their points also counted for the Regata Internacional de Carnaval Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which included F18, Nacra 17, 29er, 420 and 2.4mR.
Slovenia’s Zan Luka Zelko was joined on the Laser Standard podium by Lithuania’s Martis Pajarskas (2nd) and Canary Islander Joel Rodríguez (3rd). In women’s Radial, the podium places went to Martina Reino (1st), Maria Erdi (2nd) and Agata Barwinska (3rd).
In men’s Radial, the podium was dominated by RCNGC sailors Luis Cabrera (1st); Ismael Iess (2nd) and Jorge Martínez (3rd).
In the women’s 4.7, Carlota Sánchez (RCNGC) took the gold, Nelly González (CM Radazul), took the silver and third place went to Marina Martín (RCN Arrecife).
The winner in the men’s 4.7 was Alejandro Bethencourt (RCN Arrecife), followed by Ivo Marrero (RCNGC) in second place and Nicolás Fajardo (RCN Arrecife) in third place.
The first prizes awarded in Nacra 17 and F 18 for the Regata de Carnaval went to the German crews of Ecki Kaphengst/Tine-Marie Kaphengst and Robert Schuetz/Ra Kahuel.
The crews on the 420 podium were Elias Aretz/Helenio Hoyos (1st), Patricia Medina/Lara Martínez (2nd) and Pablo García/Raúl Naranjo (3rd). In 29er the victory went to Jorge Cantero and Néstor Vega, current Canary Islands champions. Second place went to Alejandra and Elena Oliva, and Andrés Barrio and Guillermo Maya came in third.
The line-up on the Paralympic podium was entirely Swedish: Hans Asklund (1st), Per Ahrbom (2nd) and Claes Bengtzon (3rd). José Guerra (RCNGC), in 11th place, was the highest classified Spanish sailor.
Translated from Spanish by Jane McGrath
Laser Standard is headed by Slovenia, but the Spanish sailors are leading in Laser Radial at the first event of the Europa Cup, currently being held in Gran Canaria. Martina Reino, number one on the Spanish ranking, is holding onto first place in the girls’ category and Luis Cabrera has taken the lead in the boys’.
The Regata Internacional de Carnaval Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is kicking off the Laser Europa Cup series this year. It’s the first of 23 regattas in the series, which will be held at 23 venues throughout Europe.
A 12-14 knot northwest wind and a long, slightly tricky wave typical of the area were the predominant conditions today on the second day of competition, in which 150 sailors from 19 countries are taking part.
Slovenia’s Zan Luka Zelko notched up three firsts after six races in Laser Standard and has a lead over Lithuania’s Martis Pajarskas and Gran Canaria’s Joel Rodríguez, who are currently heading for the podium. The second placed Spaniard is 16-year-old Mallorcan sailor Joan Cardona (RCN Palma), who’s eighth in the overall classification.
Rodríguez had no comments about his disqualification on the first day. He said that this isn’t a crucial regatta and he’s hoping the wind will intensify on Sunday, the final day, to secure him a place on the podium. The 14 sailors competing in Laser Standard are from 10 countries.
Martina Reino (RCNGC), current number one on the Spanish ranking, is holding onto the lead in women’s Laser Radial, after a first place in the 6th regatta, the final race of the day, finishing neck and neck on 12 points with Poland’s Agata Barwinska. The second Spanish sailor is Silvia Morales, from RCN Tenerife, with 28 points and a third place as her top result. The 25 sailors in women’s Radial are from Denmark, Great Britain, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and Spain.
The Spanish dominate in the men’s Laser Radial, with seven sailors in the top eight places. Luis Cabrera (RCNGC) took first place in the classification with a two-point lead over fellow club member Ismael Iess. In third place on the podium is José Cabrera, who’s also from the host club. The 25 competitors in this category are from seven countries.
Although Cabrera’s happy after taking the lead, he’s not sure he’ll keep it. “There are lots of strong sailors behind me”, he said back on shore. Cabrera would like the wind to ease on Sunday so he can secure his place. Jorge Martínez (RCNGC), in sixth place and just two points from finishing third, is also a contender for a spot on the podium.
Lanzarote’s Alejandro Bethencourt continues to lead in 4.7. He’s notched up four firsts in the six races held, although Ivo Marrero (RCNGC) is just one point behind him, with two firsts and three seconds. In a field of 17 competing sailors, 15 are from the Canary Islands.
In the women’s Laser 4.7, where 11 of the 14 competitors are Canary Islanders, local sailor Carlota Sánchez (RCNGC) has taken the lead with two firsts and three seconds, five points ahead of Marina Martín (RCN Arrecife) and Nelly González (Club de Mar Radazul de Tenerife).
Points won by Laser sailors will also count for the Regata de Carnaval, which includes 2.4 mR (Paralympic), catamarans (Nacra 17 and F18) and from today, 420 and 29er.
In 2.4 Rm Sweden’s dominating, with Hans Asklund in first place. The fleet in this class is nearly all Scandinavian. Only two of the 14 sailors in 2.4 Rm are Spanish; eight are from Sweden and four are from Finland. Canary Islanders José Guerra and Javier Ugarte, members of the recently created RCNGC Paralympic team, are battling it out in 10th and 13th position.
Racing in 420 and 29er started today in the Regata de Carnaval, with entirely local fleets. Jorge Cantero and Nestor Vega, current Canary Islands champions in 29er, won two of the three races and are in first position. 420 is headed by Patricia Medina and Lara Martínez, who won two of the three races.
Sunday is the third and final day.
The prize giving ceremony will be held at 17.00 hours.
Translated from Spanish by Jane McGrath
A flat sea, sunshine and an average wind of 15 knots reigned on the first day of the Regata de Carnaval Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Europa Cup Gran Canaria 2015.
The Canary Islanders are in the lead in Laser Radial and 4.7 after the first day’s sailing, including a great performance by Lanzarote sailors.
The first placegetters in the two categories were Martina Reino (RCNGC) and Alejandro Pérez (RCN Arrecife) in Radial, and Martina Martín (RCN Arrecife) and Alejandro Bethencourt (RCN Arrecife) in 4.7.
Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria has the backing of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Hall and Las Palmas Cabildo for the organisation of both competitions, and is supported by the Spanish, Canary Islands and Gran Canaria sailing federations.
Slovenia’s Zan Luka Zelko is in first place in Laser Standard after the first day and Joel Rodríguez (RCNGC) is the highest placed Spanish sailor. Rodríguez finished 8th, despite a good start with a 5th and and 3rd in the first two regattas. A penalty in the third heat knocked him back in the overall classification.
Martina Reino (RCNGC) is first equal in women’s Laser Radial, with Hungarian Maria Erdi. Reino was placed 3rd, 1st and 3rd and Erdi came in with two 2nd places and a 3rd on the first day of racing. Since November, with a few short breaks, Erdi has been training at RCNGC.
Reino, current youth world champion in the class, was happy with this start, despite the strong wind conditions that “stretched her a bit”, in her own words.
Europa Cup Gran Canaria 2015 has kicked off the series in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for the first time. The series is made up of 23 events held at 23 locations throughout Europe during the year and is organised by European Region of International Laser Class Association (EurILCA).
Jean Luc Michon, EurILCA chairman, is visiting the club for the event and also to find out more about the location with a view to making it a venue for the Laser Euro Master Series 2016.
Nacra 17, F18 and 2.4 mR (Paralympic class) started off the competition at the Regata Internacional de Carnaval, in which the Laser class points will also be counted. In Nacra and F18 the Germans are leading so far and in 2.4Rm the field belongs to the Scandinavians, mainly the Swedish and the Finnish. The classification is headed by Hans Asklund (2.4 Rm), Ecki Kaphengst/Tine Kaphengst (Nacra 17), and Robert Schuetz/Rea Khuel Kev (F18).
Two oil rigs currently standing in the usual race area have obliged the competition to be moved two miles (almost 4 km) south. The Laser class sailed in the area of Mar Fea, where Lateen sailing is normally done.
The 420 and 29er classes will be joining the competition on Saturday, the second day of racing, when the wind is expected to drop.
Translated from Spanish by Jane McGrath
Around 100 boats and 150 sailors from 19 countries, other parts of Spain and the Canary Islands will be competing in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria this weekend (12-15 February) in the Regata de Carnaval Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Europa Cup Gran Canaria 2015.
The club is backed by Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Hall and the Gran Canaria Cabildo for the organisation of both competitions, and is also supported by the Spanish, Canary Islands and Gran Canaria sailing federations.
Europa Cup Gran Canaria 2015 has brought the start of this series to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for the first time. The inaugural regatta will be followed by 22 more events in Europe throughout the year, organised by the European Region of International Laser Class Association (EurILCA).
Jean Luc Michon, chairman of EurILCA, is visiting the club not only for the event, but also to learn more about the venue with a view to making it the host of the Laser Euro Master Series 2016.
All three Laser categories compete in the Europa Cup.
In the Regata de Carnaval, in addition to the sailors in the Laser class (whose points will count for both events), competitors will also be racing in 2.4 mR (Paralympic), 420, catamarans and 29ers.
The organisers have set up three race areas in the harbour and will have an international jury to monitor the races.
The Regata de Carnaval is the final event on the Gran Canaria Sail in Winter programme, which includes three other international competitions (Semana Olímpica Canaria de Vela, Trofeo Internacional AECIO – Optimist, and the Trofeo Isla de Gran Canaria).
Gran Canaria Sail in Winter makes the island’s capital city a winter sailing base for a number of sailors and teams from the north of Europe and other parts of the world where sailing’s not possible during the winter months.
Olympic sailors and national teams choose the waters in the bay of Gran Canaria for competing and training, drawn by the weather conditions and the assistance provided by the host club.
The list of sailors who’ve already registered for the Europa Cup include top names in the class, such as Norwegians Line Flem Host and Celine Herud, Hungarian María Erdi and Holland’s Dewi Couvert, as well as local figures Martina Reino and Joel Rodríguez, current ISAF Laser Radial youth world champions.
In Laser Standard, the men’s Olympic category, the duel between Mallorca’s Joan Cardona and Gran Canaria’s Joel Rodríguez will be interesting. Both sailors are hoping to secure the only place on the Spanish Olympic team reserved for a youth sailor in the Laser class.
The classes:
Laser: is one of the world’s most popular sailing dinghies.
It’s a single-handed boat and comes in three sizes, defined by the sail:
- Standard (the men’s Olympic boat): 12 boats will be competing
- Radial (the women’s Olympic and boys’ boat): 50 boats
- 7 (junior): 30 boats
RCNGC is strong in this class, with names such as Martina Reino (currently in top place in Spain and world youth champion), Joel Rodríguez (ISAF world youth champion, EurILCA youth champion and European youth champion), Ismael Iess (runner-up world youth champion in 4.7), Luis Cabrera, Ivo Marrero, María José Marichal…. (Joaquín Blanco, a member of Spain’s Olympic team, won’t be at this competition).
2.4mR: This is the Paralympic class, a new addition by RCNGC to include disabled sailing in its line-up. The boats are scale replicas of former America’s Cup boats and allow sailors with a range of disabilities to sail using systems adapted to each particular case. Three countries will be racing in this class at the Regata de Carnaval.
29er: This class is a stepping stone to the Olympic 49er. The boats have a very modern design and aren’t common in Spain yet. They’re very fast and the hull is highly unstable when the boat’s still. The two crew members are kept on their feet.
420: A classic. The 420 is the Olympic 470’s little sister and it’s been a big success at the club, as several world championships have been won in this class. The club boasts a large 420 team.
Catamarans: These double-hulled boats reach high speeds. All the competitors at the Regata de Carnaval are from outside of Spain. Representatives from three countries will be competing.
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The prize giving ceremony will be held on Sunday 16, starting at 5.00 pm.
Translated from Spanish by Jane McGrath
Sailors from 15 countries have already registered for the Laser Europa Cup and the Regata de Carnaval Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, running from 13 to 15 February in the harbour of Gran Canaria’s capital city.
Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria is organising both events, which bring its Gran Canaria Sail in Winter programme to a close. The Club is backed by Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Hall, Gran Canaria Cabildo, the Spanish, Canary Islands and Gran Canaria sailing federations, and EurILCA.
This year is the first time the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has hosted a Laser Europa Cup event. Run by EurILCA (European Region of International Laser Class Association), the Europa Cup is a series of 23 regattas at 23 venues throughout Europe.
For this inaugural race of Europa Cup 2015, the Club will be welcoming EurILCA chairman, Jean Luc Michon.
Sailors who’ve already entered include top names in the class, such as Norwegians Line Flem Host and Celine Herud, Hungary’s María Erdi and Holland’s Dewi Couvert, as well as local figures Martina Reino and Joel Rodríguez, current ISAF Laser Radial youth world champions.
In Laser Standard, the men’s Olympic category, the duel between Mallorca’s Joan Cardona and Gran Canaria’s Joel Rodríguez will be interesting. Both sailors are hoping to secure the only place on the Spanish Olympic team reserved for a youth sailor in the Laser class.
The country with most EurILCA members is Italy (750). Spain has 271 members and France has 474.
Points in the Laser class will count for both events running from 12 to 15 February at RCNGC: the Europa Cup and the Regata de Carnaval. The Carnival race will also include 2.4Rm (Paralympic class), catamarans and 420.
Translated from Spanish by Jane McGrath
EVENTS Dec 2021 – March 2022
