Youth prevailed in the overall classification of the Playa Blanca Swimming Crossing, as confirmed by the podium formed, in order, by Alejandro Martín (19 years old), David Blas Herrera (21) and Jorge Robayna (15). More than 200 swimmers gathered this Saturday in the southern tourist center to compete in the third scoring event of the Open Water Cup of Lanzarote.
Martín made the 1,350-meter route, between Playa Dorada and the small beach of the town, marking a time of 19:25 minutes. Herrera crossed the finish line 32 seconds behind the winner and Robayna did it 38 seconds later. The first two classified belong to the same club, Nadamas, while Robayna is part of Los Pingüinos.
In the women's general, Victoria Chantada, from Club Nadamas, stood out, with a time of 22:03 minutes, followed by Eva Vilaro, from Club Herbania, 21 seconds behind, and Irene Villalba, from Nadamas, 25 seconds behind. The public recognized the effort of all the swimmers, but without a doubt the great ovation of the morning was taken by the adapted athletes Andrés Martín and Leonel Morales. Their ability to compete is worthy of admiration.
Alejandro Martín took the first position from the beginning of the race and his pace left practically no options for the rest of the swimmers. With his triumph and the 19 points they represent, Martín is only two points away from the leadership of the Open Water Cup of Lanzarote, which is provisionally held by his clubmate, David Blas Herrera, second in Playa Blanca. The swimmers will compete again in the Puerto Calero Crossing, scheduled for July 27. The Open Water calendar includes eight crossings in total.
Children, cadets and pre-cadets also enlivened the summer day in Playa Blanca. Those registered in the children's category swam an 800-meter circuit on the small beach, the cadets completed a distance of 400 meters and the youngest, out of competition, swam 50 meters, in the middle of a great applause from the audience. Alejandro Candela, Álvaro Bernal and Alejandro Elvira climbed the children's podium and Óscar Martín, Jairo Espinosa and Ana Gómez did the same in the cadet category.
The Councilor for Sports of Yaiza, Rafael Tavío, and representatives of the sponsoring firms presented trophies to the winners of the different categories. Before the awards, the participating swimmers shared a lunch on the Playa Blanca promenade, next to the Brisa Marina Restaurant. The organization of the Playa Blanca Crossing, led by the Vulcano Triathlon Club, with the support of the Sports and Festivities areas of the Yaiza City Council, thanks the sponsors and the security forces and emergency services for their invaluable collaboration to carry out the competition in the best possible conditions.
