The Lanzarote town of Playa Blanca celebrated its seventh edition of the International Halloween Regatta, and it did so successfully, first, due to the participation of 111 children sailors from different countries around the world, and second, because this competition held last weekend, which marked the opening of the Canary Islands Optimist Circuit of the Royal Canary Islands Sailing Federation, is an event that helps to raise the competitive level of young sailors from Lanzarote.
The regatta is organized by Club 4Vientos, and DinghyCoach Lanzarote with the support of the Yaiza City Council and Marina Rubicón, whose representatives presided over the awards ceremony this Sunday at the Marina Rubicón base port amidst the joy of sailors and families.
Italian Mattia Di Martina in the men's category and Lili María Skomska in the women's category were proclaimed winners of this seventh edition of the International Halloween Regatta, the first children's competition of the season with remarkable participation.
The sailors from the Royal Yacht Club of Gran Canaria dominated the top positions in the Under13 and Under16 female categories, as well as the Under11 males. The Royal Yacht Club of Gran Canaria, in addition, was the dominant Club of the event as it achieved 9 of the 18 podiums that were at stake. The event ended on Sunday, November 3, thus concluding the seventh edition of the International Halloween Regatta for the Optimist class, which took place during three intense days of racing, in which light winds and extreme currents brought out the best in the sailors.
Mattia Di Martina won in the Under16 male category and ultimately in the absolute general classification, Lili Skomska (RCNGC) won in Under16 female, while Barnabas Gereben (Hungary) took the victory in Under13 male, as well as, one more year, Alba Ponce (RCNGC) repeated podium in Under13 female. Lola Carrión (RCNA) did the same in Under11 female and Pablo Medina (RCNGC) in Under11 male.
The most international edition
Five races were held out of the eight planned, so the Medal Race reserved exclusively for the top 15 could not be held. Sailors from Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Basque Country, Italy, Hungary, Ireland, Singapore, Thailand, Norway, United States, Sweden and Great Britain participated, making it the most international edition to date. The participation of Marta Mansito Valverde (RCNGC) stands out, who will represent Spain in the next Optimist World Championship in Mar del Plata, Argentina.
Regarding the local sailors from Club 4Vientos, the best in the standings was Yumalay de Agustín Calderín in 57th position and 4th Under13 female, Acaymo Bravo Rodríguez who finished in 66th position, Yanely Bravo Rodríguez 92nd, Iballa Rodríguez Orts 103rd and Freya Mitchel and Marco Armari tied in 108th position.
The awards ceremony was presided over by the Councilor for Citizen Participation and Environment of the Yaiza City Council, Águeda Cedrés, along with Rafael Lasso Lorenzo, CEO of Marina Rubicón, Gonzalo 'Bocha' Politzer representing Dinghycoach and David Pérez Vega, sports director of the 4Vientos Regatta Club. The organization thanks all the collaborating people and entities.