The bay of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria hosted one of the first Optimist class races of the season this past weekend, with the traditional Manolo Pazos Trophy. An event in which the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife was widely represented with the participation of 15 sailors, who delivered a great performance. Julián Suárez climbed to the third step of the podium in the general classification, and Lola Carrión took victory in the U13 category.
The Manolo Pazos Optimist Trophy kicked off on Friday morning with excellent sailing conditions and winds blowing at 14 knots, allowing for four races to be held. These conditions continued on Saturday, the day on which three races took place in the bay of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. On Sunday, an alert for adverse weather phenomena was activated, forcing the suspension of maritime activities.
The 109 participating sailors were divided into two racing groups, and Julián Suárez won the first heat. The sailor from the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife showed great consistency throughout the seven races held, ultimately achieving third place in the overall standings of the Manolo Pazos Trophy. Furthermore, Julián Suárez was the second-place finisher in the under-16 male category.
The young Lola Carrión also put on a great performance and was among the top qualifiers from the first day. The Real Club Náutico de Arrecife sailor finished the Manolo Pazos Trophy in fifth place overall. In addition, Lola Carrión took first place in the absolute and female U13 category, and received the trophy for the second-place finisher in the female U16 category.
The Real Club Náutico de Arrecife had 15 sailors participating in the Manolo Pazos Trophy, a competition organized by the Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria. The expedition included Julián Suárez, Luisa Lemes, Carmen Presa, Alfonso Garcías, Gonzalo Presa, Fayna Tavío, Santiago Bravo de Laguna, Valentina de la Hoz, Pelayo Sánchez Reguero, Julia López, Marta Martínez, Yeico Díaz, María Rizo, Lola Carrión, and Leandro de la Hoz.
The Manolo Pazos Trophy was the first selective regatta of the Canary Optimist Circuit and a scoring event for the 2026 Canary Cup. The Canary Optimist Circuit will continue with the Pel Escuder Trophy, held in Tenerife from February 6th to 8th, and will conclude with the XI César Manrique Optimist Trophy, organized by the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife from March 6th to 8th.