The last day of the XXXIX Insular League of 8.55 Meter Boats of Lanzarote arrived with maximum excitement. Graciosero Líneas Romero had a slight advantage of one point over Puerto del Arrecife. A victory for the capital team would snatch the title from the people of Graciosa, otherwise everything would benefit those from the eighth island.
After a tense wait of an hour and a quarter for the improvement of weather conditions, the 8.55 meter boat race finally set sail under a prevailing north and northwest wind. The competition began with a prominent start from Volcán de La Corona, captained by Alfred Morales, but it was David Martín at the helm of Puerto del Arrecife who quickly took the lead.
El Graciosero, in an effort to reach the leader, remained in a constant struggle, but could not overcome the strategy and skill of the capital team. An incident marked the race of Maramajo, led by Echeyde Toledo, when a crew member fell into the first buoy, resulting in a drowning and the loss of any chance to compete for fourth position against Villa de Teguise of Santiago González.
Throughout the race, Puerto de Arrecife maintained its advantage over El Graciosero. It was only in the last close-hauled course towards the finish line that the title of the Insular League seemed to be at stake for Puerto del Arrecife. However, a timely recovery secured their victory and with it, the league title.
The second position of the Insular League of 8.55 meter boats was for Graciosero Líneas Romero, despite finishing tied on points with Puerto del Arrecife. Third was Haría Volcán de La Corona of Pedro de León, fourth Villa de Teguise of Echeyde Toledo and fifth Maramajo of Santiago González.
This triumph marks the sixteenth title for Puerto del Arrecife, adding to their last victory in the 2021 campaign. For David Martín, this is his second title as skipper of an 8.55 meter boat, the first he obtained in 2016 with Volcán de la Corona.
The closing ceremony of the regatta was also the stage for the awards ceremony of the season's pending awards, culminating a day of intense emotions. Now the 8.55 meter boats will rest and begin to work with the 5 meter boats, a competition that will be broad in number and where, as in previous years, it will be very intense.
