The town of Gdynia, in Poland, has hosted the 2026 International Optimist Class European Championship for the past seven days, a competition in which the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife has been represented by Lola Carrión. The 12-year-old sailor has had a great performance throughout the week, finishing in a brilliant fifth position in the continental competition.
The 2026 Optimist European Championship was attended by 122 female sailors. On the first day, optimal sailing conditions were not met, and the boats remained ashore. Throughout the week, a total of eight races (6 qualifying and 2 finals) were held out of the ten initially scheduled.
Lola Carrión has had an improving European Championship, moving up positions with the progression of the races and always placing among the top qualifiers. On the final day this Thursday, only one of the scheduled races could be held, with the Real Club Náutico sailor achieving her worst result, which prevented her from even competing for a podium finish.
The consistency shown throughout the week has allowed Lola Carrión to finish the European Championship in sixth position in the overall standings and be the fifth best sailor in Europe, as American Morgan Rosenthal qualified in third position. The sailor from Lanzarote finished only ten points behind the European Championship podium.
The Spanish Optimist team, coached by Ángel Zubiria Medina from the Canary Islands, has won the Nations Cup, with a notable gold medal for Maria Luc Bastard from the Balearic Islands and a bronze medal for Lucas Garrido from Catalonia in the men's category. In addition, Inés Rodado and Lola Carrión qualified in fourth and fifth position, respectively, contributing with their performance to the Nations Cup victory.
Lola Carrión has been the only sailor from the Canary Islands at the Optimist European Championship, and the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife sailor has put the finishing touch to a brilliant season. She has been the Canary Islands champion, topped the Canary Islands rankings by winning gold in the three events held (two in the U13 category and the last in the absolute category), and has been the Spanish champion in her category.
The president of the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife, Julio Romero, and the Board of Directors, wish to congratulate Lola Carrión for the great result obtained in the Optimist European Championship, placing the light sailing of the island of Lanzarote at the highest level and completing a season full of successes, with a great future ahead.
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