Gustavo del Castillo and Marta Mansito emerge victorious in the Optimist Canary Islands Day Championship

Fuerteventura experienced a lovely day of youth sailing on Sunday, June 2, with hundreds of boats shining in the Bay of Puerto del Rosario. The Canary Islands Optimist Day Championship met expectations, providing this visual spectacle and high levels of competition in perfect sailing conditions.

The three races held on this second and final day of the ‘Canary Islands Championship – Canary Islands Day – Naviera Armas Trophy’, organized by the Fuerteventura Yacht Club, the Royal Canarian Sailing Federation, and the Spanish Association of the International Class, took place in optimal conditions for the 102 competitors who set sail.

The sunny weather, gentle waves, and northwest winds between 10 and 14 knots, shifting between 330 and 350 degrees, allowed all competitors, boys and girls aged 8 to 15, to give their best.

In terms of sports performance, the Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria, Real Club Náutico de Tenerife, and Club Marítimo Varadero occupied the top spots on the podium.

In the U16 category, Marta Mansito and Gustavo del Castillo, both from RCN Gran Canaria, emerged victorious. In the U13 category, Maruca Guindin (RCN Gran Canaria) and Santiago Pérez (RCN de Tenerife) took the top spot on the podium. And in the U11 category, Pablo Medina (RCN Gran Canaria) and Lola Carrión (independent) claimed victory.

It is worth noting the presence in the race of Villiams Osipovs, a young star from Kyrgyzstan competing internationally, with half a million followers on social networks, who has settled in Lanzarote to train during the winter months. Osipovs, affiliated with the Italian club Fraglia Vela Riva, secured the top spot in the U13 male classification, therefore being declared the regatta champion.

From the competitors from the eastern islands, two clubs in Lanzarote also made it to the podium, with a second place for Unai Ugarte from the Club Deportivo Código 0, and a third place for the Majorcan Yumalay de Agustín, competing for the Club de Regatas 4Vientos.

Both the participating clubs and competitors agreed on the attractions of Fuerteventura and Puerto del Rosario as venues for hosting sailing competitions. The Puerto del Rosario Dock has the widest ramp in the Canary Islands, 45 meters wide, sheltered by the Cruise Ship Dock, and just a few meters from the Insular Nautical School. The ease of transportation between the event venue, ramp, and a magnificent race course in front of Playa Blanca confirms Fuerteventura’s potential to host future sailing competitions.

Closing Ceremony and Awards Presentation

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The closing ceremony was marked by the special thanks of the organization to the sponsoring and collaborating entities. Present at the event were the Mayor of Puerto del Rosario, David de Vera, the Sports Councillor of the Fuerteventura Island Council, Luis González, and the Sports, Tourism, and Works Councillors in the capital, namely, Juan Jiménez, Juan Rosa Rodríguez, and Ana Hernández.

Alejandro de León, President of the Fuerteventura Yacht Club, also on behalf of the Royal Canarian Sailing Federation, expressed gratitude for the support of entities such as the Fuerteventura Tourism Board, the promotional entity of the insular council, the Puerto del Rosario City Council, which sponsors the event under the Turismo de Puerto del Rosario brand, the Canary Islands Government, companies like Naviera Armas – Trasmediterránea, which collaborate with transfers in youth sailing categories, or the Fuerteventura Island Council and the Port Authority, which provide the Nautical School and other facilities to host the event.

Likewise, the Fuerteventura Yacht Club congratulated and appreciated the participation of the competitors, boards, and competitors from the ten Canary Island clubs that attended the event, including the local club the majorero club and the Fuerteventura Regatta Club Isla del Viento; from Lanzarote, Real Club Náutico de Arrecife, Club de Regatas 4 Vientos, and Club Deportivo Código 0; from Gran Canaria, the Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria and Club Marítimo Varadero, from Tenerife, Real Club Náutico de Tenerife and Club de Mar Radazul, and Real Club Náutico de La Palma.