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
Sailors from eight countries have already confirmed their participation in the first event of the Laser Europa Cup series, to be held in Gran Canaria from 13 to 15 February. With just over two weeks before the competition starts in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, entries are coming in steadily.
Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria is organising the Europa Cup Gran Canaria 2015, coinciding with the final international event on the Gran Canaria Sail in Winter programme: Regata de Carnaval – Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Three race areas are planned for the regattas.
Europa Cup Gran Canaria 2015 will bring together some 80 sailors from all the Laser class categories: the Olympic classes (Standard and Radial) and the beginners’ classes (men’s Laser and 4.7). A bonus of this event is the chance to compete on the home ground of the two current ISAF world youth champions, Martina Reino and Joel Rodríguez, and 4.7 runner-up world champion, Ismael Iess.
Points in the Laser class will count towards both the Europa Cup and the Regata de Carnaval, in which 10 catamarans and around 10 boats in the 2.4mR Paralympic class will also compete.
The host club is backed by Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Hall and Gran Canaria’s Cabildo, in addition to three sailing federations: Real Federación Española de Vela, Federación Canaria de Vela and Federación Insular de Vela de Gran Canaria.
La Regata de Carnaval – Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is named after the most important festival on the island of Gran Canaria. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival is one of the world’s top carnivals and the regatta will be held during the key days of the festivities. The organisers offer sailors the chance to discover a fiesta that’s quirky, fun and a real crowd puller.
Translated from Spanish by Jane McGrath
This year’s Laser Europa Cup series starts off in Gran Canaria. From 13-15 February, 80 sailors from several locations will be racing in the harbour of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, at the start of a pre-Olympic year.
For the challenge of organising Europa Cup Gran Canaria 2015 and the Regata de Carnaval at the same time, Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria is backed by Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Hall and Gran Canaria’s Cabildo.
Although the Regata de Carnaval is the final race of this season’s Gran Canaria Sail in Winter programme, it’s the first of the 23 races in the Laser Europa Cup series at 23 venues throughout Europe.
All three Laser class categories will be competing in the Europa Cup: 4.7, Radial and Standard. Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria is in a strong position in Laser, one of the world’s most popular sailing classes.
The two current ISAF world youth champions, Martina Reino and Joel Rodríguez, belong to the RCNGC sailing club.
Martina is first on the Spanish ranking and is a member of the Spanish pre-Olympic team, although Spain still has to secure its place as a country in both Radial and Standard (the girls’ Olympic category).
Joel Rodríguez is not only ISAF world youth champion, but also ILCA youth champion and EurILCA European youth champion.
This year he’s making his first bid for a place in the Spanish Pre-Olympic team, along with more experienced sailor Joaquín Blanco, who’s ending January at the ISAF World Cup Miami after winning three golds in a row at the start of the season.
Other members of the RCNGC sailing team include Ismael Iess, current runner-up world champion in Laser 4.7, and Luis Cabrera, who came sixth at the 4.7 Worlds in Japan.
Catamarans, 2.4 mR (Paralympic class) and Laser will also be competing at the Regata de Carnaval.
Translated from Spanish by Jane McGrath
On 13, 14 and 15 February, Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria will be holding the Regata de Carnaval Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the first event on the Laser Europa Cup series.
Sailors wishing to take part in the Laser Europa Cup must enter and pay the fee on the web page of the European Region of International Laser Class Association (EurILCA).
The other classes taking part in the Regata de Carnaval Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria are required to complete their entries through the Gran Canaria Sail in Winter web page. Entries for the regatta are processed at the RCNGC sailing office.
La Regata de Carnaval Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the final regatta for the 2014/15 Gran Canaria Sail in Winter programme and this year, for the first time, it’s also the opening event for the Laser Europa Cup series.
Translated from Spanih by Jane McGrath
Joaquín Blanco.
Joaquín Blanco (RCNGC), Alison Young (British sailing team) and Alfonso Fernández (RCN Tenerife) took the three golds in the Laser class in the International Gran Canaria Trophy (Trofeo Isla de Gran Canaria), which finished today in the bay of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. RCNGC sailor Luis Cabrera won the gold in the men’s Radial and Carlota Sánchez took the gold in the women’s Laser 4.7.
Blanco, member of the Spanish Pre-Olympic team, had a tough win over fellow RCNGC sailor and world youth champion Joel Rodríguez, sewing up a championship that didn’t get off to a great start for him. This is Blanco’s third gold in a row in just over a month, after his wins at the 16th Semana Olímpica Canaria de Vela and the Palamós Christmas Race.
“These results help to boost my confidence and are a step up before the important events I’ve got coming up. I’m off to the world cup in Miami now and then I’ll be back in Gran Canaria for the Regata de Carnaval, followed by the Semana Olímpica de Cádiz, the Spanish Championship in Valencia, and the Trofeo Princesa Sofía, finishing in June with the Olympic class worlds in Canada.”
During the award ceremony, held this afternoon and attended by City Councillor Mimi González (Ciudad de Mar) and the president of the Canary Islands Sailing Federation, Joaquín Blanco, RCNGC president Óscar Bergasa commented on the presence of 12 boats in the 2.4mR Paralympic class, saying that, in his opinion, this consolidates the club’s support for disabled sailing.
Representatives from 16 countries took part in the international regatta, the third event of the Gran Canaria Sail in Winter programme, organised by Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria with the support of the Gran Canaria Cabildo and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Hall.
The third and final day of competition started as expected, with 10-12 knot winds and a heavy swell, but as the day wore on the winds shifted from northeast to southeast. The drop in the wind intensity meant all scheduled races could be held.
Joel Rodríguez, who fought until the final day for first place in Laser Standard and ended up with the silver, said his result was “very positive”. At the end of the race he said that the most important thing was to take advantage of the chance to train with top sailors.
His next event is the Regata de Carnaval, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the final race in the Gran Canaria Sail in Winter programme and the first in the Laser Europa Cup series. Just a few days later, he’ll be sailing in the Semana Olímpica Andaluza, the second race that counts towards the Spanish Pre-Olympic team after the Canary Islands Olympic Sailing Week.
The gold in Laser Radial was for British Olympic sailor Alison Young, who came fifth in London in 2012. She had a poor start in the Canary Islands event but came through on the second and third days, taking first place.
RCNGC sailor Luis Cabrera, silver in the overall Laser Radial and gold in the men’s, said “I knew I had a chance, but I knew I had some tough competition as well”.
Cabrera mentioned the importance of the wind shifts during the race and was positive about his results as he looks forward to his next race, at the Canary Islands Radial championship, in Tenerife.
Alfonso Fernández, from Tenerife, took the gold in Laser 4.7, a class initially led by RCNGC sailor Patricia Reino. As expected, Sweden’s Hans Asklund won in the 2.4mR Paralympic class, with five firsts in the eight races held. The first Spanish competitor was Pablo García, in seventh place.
The crew of Nahuel Rodríguez (RCNGC) and Nicolás Rodríguez (RCN Vigo) won the gold in 470, a class with few competitors at this event.
In Techno (boards), the victory went to Britain’s Joshua Carey. Magüi Suárez (RCNGC), the top Spanish Techno competitor and the only girl in this class, took the silver.
Translated from Spanish by Jane McGrath
Joaquín Blanco and Joel Rodríguez fought the closest battle on the second day of the International Gran Canaria Trophy (Trofeo Isla de Gran Canaria), which finishes on Sunday in the bay of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The two Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria sailors are evenly matched going into the final day, with a slight advantage for Blanco, who’s jumped from sixth place to the head of the classification table. The pre-Olympic sailor won two of Saturday’s three races.
Representatives from 16 countries are taking part in this international regatta, the third event of the Gran Canaria Sail in Winter programme, which is organised by Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria with the support of the Gran Canaria Cabildo and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Hall.
The weather conditions changed dramatically today for the second day of racing. After starting out with southeast winds of 14-15 knots, the day ended with 10 knot winds, allowing all three scheduled races to go ahead. Sailors also encountered a short wave from the southeast and a long wave from the northeast, which complicated sailing.
The other important news of the day was in Laser Radial, where the lead was taken by Alison Young, Olympic sailor at London in 2012 and member of the British sailing team. Young stole the lead from Canary Islander Luis Cabrera (RCNGC), who dropped to second place and is followed by Chloe Martín, the other British sailor racing this weekend at RCNGC.
In Laser 4.7 the lead also changed, as Patricia Reino (RCNGC) gave up her first place to Alfonso Fernández, from Real Club Náutico de Tenerife. In second place is Carlos Pavillard, also from RCNT.
In 470 Nahuel Rodríguez and Nicolás Rodríguez won the three races during the second day, taking them to first place in the classification for this small fleet, ahead of the Russian and Finnish teams.
In the 2.4mR Paralympic class the Swedes continue to dominate, with Hans Asklund maintaining the lead. The first Spanish sailor classified is Pablo García, in sixth position. The Paralympic class is new to this season’s Gran Canaria Sail in Winter programme and is a step forward for the host club, which is aiming to boost the level of this class.
Techno (boards) had its first day of racing today. Britain’s Joshua Carey is in the lead with a third and two firsts. He’s followed by RCNGC team members Eduardo Santana and Javier Rodríguez. Magüi Suárez, the only girl competing in this class, had a very good start but was penalised for being over the line in the third and final race, finishing fourth.
Three races have been scheduled for Sunday, the final day of competition, and the award ceremony should start at around 16.00 hours. Similar wind and sea conditions are expected, as well as an exciting final in all classes, as the points in the top places are very close.
Photo by Alberto Sánchez
Translated from Spanish by Jane Mcgrath
Members of the Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria sailing team Joel Rodríguez (Standard), Luis Cabrera (Radial) and Patricia Reino (4.7) are leading the Laser class in the International Gran Canaria Trophy.
The international regatta started today, Friday 9 January 2015, in the harbour of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with representatives from 16 countries: Turkey, the United Kingdom, Peru, Norway, Denmark, Slovenia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Holland, Switzerland, Russia, Finland, Tunisia, Bahrain and Spain.
This is the third event of the Gran Canaria Sail in Winter programme, organised by Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria with the support of the Gran Canaria Cabildo and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Hall.
The nearly 100 sailors competing today encountered winds of 6-7 knots and reasonable waves, in conditions that allowed two of the three scheduled races to go ahead, as winds died down for the final race.
LASER STANDARD
Joel Rodríguez took a strong lead, justifying his place as world youth champion, with first places in the two races held, ahead of Peru’s Stefano Peschiera and Poland’s Jonasz Stelmaszyk. Joaquín Blanco, also from RCNGC and member of the Spanish Pre-Olympic team, is in sixth place with a second and a tenth place.
LASER RADIAL
Luís Cabrera was off to a good start, winning the two regattas, with Lanzarote sailor Alejandro Bethencourt coming second. Third place went to UK sailor Chloe Martin, who was first in the women’s category. The second woman was Alba Elejabeitia, from Real Club Náutico de Tenerife.
LASER 4.7
The podium’s dominated by Canary Islands sailors, with a first place for Patricia Reino, from Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria, second for Héctor García, from Real Club Náutico de Tenerife and third for Andrea Machado, also from RCNGC, ahead of the Norwegians.
470
In first place on the classification are Finland’s Rosa Lindquist and Rose Marie Hartman, with second places in the two races, followed by Russians Boris Kucherenko and Alexandr Moskvichev. Third place went to Nahuel and Nicolás Rodríguez, from Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria. The absence of Onán Barreiros and Juan Curbelo was noted. The pair is currently out of Spain due to other commitments on the international circuit.
2.4 PARALYMPIC CLASS
The Swedes dominated on the first day, with Hans Asklund, Klas Andersson and Per Ahrbom taking the first three places. José Guerra, from Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria and winner of the Canary Islands Olympic Sailing Week (December 2014), didn’t score in the first race. He’s now in eighth place after a sixth and a fifth, although he could move up with a possible discard tomorrow.
The second of the three days’ racing will be held on Saturday 10 January, starting at 11:00 hours in two race areas. The 2.4 class will be racing in the area next to the retaining wall and the other classes will be racing in the area near the city’s new courthouse. Races in the Techno class (windsurfing) are also scheduled to start.
Translated from Spanish by Jane McGrath
Alison Young, british sailor, working at the gym.
Competitors from Turkey, the United Kingdom, Peru, Norway, Denmark, Slovenia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Holland, Switzerland, Russia, Finland and Tunisia, as well as Spain, will be taking part in the races that will kick off the RCNGC 2015 sailing calendar.
For 470, 2.4, Laser Standard, Laser 4.7 and Laser Radial there’ll be three days of competition (9, 10 and 11 January). Racing in the Techno class will be at the weekend only.
Trophies will be awarded on 11 January.
In the 2014 International Gran Canaria Trophy, the gold in the men’s 470 went to the Russian crew of Pavel Sozykin and Denis Gribanov. The pair took the silver at the most recent Semana Olímpica Canaria de Vela, held in December, after battling it out for the gold until the last day with Gran Canarian sailors Onán Barreiros and Juan Curbelo, who finally took the victory.
In Laser Standard the win went to Lithuanian Martis Pajarkas and in Radial the overall victory was for Finland’s Tuula Tankanen.
The 2014/15 Gran Canaria Sail in Winter programme has already held the 16th Semana Olímpica Canaria de Vela and the Trofeo Internacional AECIO Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. After this weekend’s International Gran Canaria Trophy, the programme will end with the Regata de Carnaval Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (13, 14 and 15 February), which is particularly important this year as it’s the first race in the Laser Europa Cup series.
Translate from Spanish by Jane McGrath
EVENTS Dec 2021 – March 2022
