The 2021 Sea Kayak World Championship, based in Arrecife, came to an end after the medal ceremony held on Wednesday afternoon on the Islote de Fermina. During the gala, the president of the International Canoe Federation, Patxi Perurena, stated that the Canoe World Championship held in the capital has been “the best in history”.
The mayor of Arrecife, Ástrid Pérez, and the Councilor for Sports, Roy González, highlighted the work of the more than 40 volunteers from the Marlines Canoeing Club who have worked for months to ensure that the event held in the capital was recognized for its good treatment and excellent organization. In addition, the Arrecife team was represented by eight participants throughout the competition.
In addition, this event had the collaboration of the Departments of Sports and Tourism. For months, the different federations, the Marlines Canoeing Club and the different institutions have worked hand in hand to take care of every detail in the face of the competition.
The more than 260 paddlers from more than 20 countries who participated in the 27-kilometer race, from Playa de La Garita to Playa de El Reducto, began official training on the island on July 3 in the capital, in the morning and afternoon.
That same Saturday, at 8:00 p.m., the opening ceremony of the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championship began on the Islote de Fermina. An event that tried to highlight the cultural features that have characterized the history of Lanzarote.
The mayor of Arrecife, Ástrid Pérez, the vice president of the Island Council, Marcos Bergaz, the president of the International Canoe Federation, Patxi Perurena, and the general director of Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands, Manolo López, kicked off the gala.
During the inauguration, the athletes and the rest of the attendees were able to enjoy the performances of José Vicente Pérez and his group, the Buches and the dance with Saranda. In addition, the spectators witnessed a tribute to Princess ICO and the time when the presence of pirates on the island was abundant. Finally, to close the event, the Villapipol batucada highlighted the Carnival, the quintessential festival in the islands.
The test was held on Sunday, July 5. 260 participants covered the 27 kilometers distance, with the presence of elite athletes such as Walter Bouzán or Nicolas Notten. In the women's category, the gold was taken by Michelle Bunn, followed by Ana Swetish and the Spanish Judit Vergés. In the men's category, the South African Nicolas Notten took the gold, Gordan Harbretcht the silver and Ulvard Hart the bronze. The remaining two medals obtained by Spain were won by Jorge Enríquez and Irene Gana in the junior category.
The best classified of the Marlines Canoeing Club were Oscar Fermín and Airam Pacheco, eleventh and nineteenth in the junior category. In the sub-23 Gabriel Cabrera and Inés Fernández were eighth in their respective modalities.
The medal ceremony took place on Wednesday on the Islote de Fermina. The athletes and members of the different delegations said goodbye to the 2021 Sea Kayak World Championship in an emotional gala that served to recognize the great work carried out by the hosts, the Marlines Canoeing Club, in holding the “best world championship in history”, in the words of Patxi Perurena.
“This event has helped us to position Arrecife as a benchmark city in the field of island, national and international sports. This type of event helps us to reactivate the city's economy. I want to thank and congratulate all the members of the Marlines Canoeing Club, their work has been essential to leave the capital where it deserves, demonstrating its great capacity to host any type of sporting event,” said the Councilor for Sports, Roy González.
