The 1st International Optimist President's Trophy Regatta came to a close last Sunday after three intense days of racing in the bay of Arrecife. The event, jointly organized by the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife and Atlantis Academy, featured the participation of 91 sailors representing 17 countries. The local sailors had a brilliant performance, highlighting Unai de Ugarte's third place in the overall standings and Julián Suárez's title as champion of the under-13 category.
The first two days were marked by light winds, and the wind intensity increased on the final day, causing an unexpected shift in the classifications in each of the categories. Pedro Medina, a sailor from the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife, led the classification in the first two days, in which a total of eight races were held, arriving with options for the last four races on Sunday.
Finally, Pedro Medina had to settle for fourth position overall, just missing the podium. The victory in the President's Trophy was awarded to the Turkish sailor Mehmet Erkut, the Danish sailor Carl Birgersson was second, and the Lanzarote native Unai de Ugarte (Real Club Náutico de Arrecife) finished in a meritorious third position overall. As for the women's category, the victory went to Margaux Nguyen-Minh (Hong Kong), with Silvia Medina (RCN Gran Canaria) and Elena López (CN El Balis) completing the podium in second and third place, respectively.
Another of the most outstanding performances by the sailors of the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife was that of Julián Suárez, who was rewarded for his good work in the three days of competition with the victory in the under-13 male category. The podium was decided on the last day, with the Lanzarote native finishing ahead of Alberto Medina (RCN Tenerife) and the American Levi Higbbs.
In the under-13 female category, there were significant changes in the overall standings. Lola Carrión, a sailor from the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife, at the start of the third race
on Saturday, received a blow to her right hand, which caused a fracture of her phalanx. Despite this, the young sailor was able to finish the day on Saturday, but on Sunday she was unable to start due to medical prescription. The victory in this category went to Alix Nguyen-Minh (Hong Kong), ahead of Sofía Hinken (CM Radazul) and the Italian Alegra Amorati.
The Real Club Náutico de Arrecife wanted to have a detail with the youngest sailors of the 1st International Optimist President's Trophy Regatta, giving an award to the first classified in the under-11 category. The Italian Alexander Fiorini and Olivia Bazán (CM Radazul) took to the podium as winners.
The awards ceremony took place on Sunday afternoon at the facilities of the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife, and was attended by Julio Romero, president of the club. He was accompanied by Estanislao Bethencourt, commodore of the RCNA, Juan Roa, member of the light sailing section, Simone Ricci, representing Atlantis Academy, David Pérez, representing the Royal Canarian Sailing Federation, José Antonio Acuña of the Maritime Captaincy and members of the Board of Directors of the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife. Julio Romero highlighted the importance of an event of this level for the development of future talents in the world of sailing.
The 1st International Optimist President's Trophy Regatta has been organized by the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife and Atlantis Academy, with the sponsorship of the Cabildo de Lanzarote through the Island Sports Service and the Art, Culture and Tourism Centers of Lanzarote, the Arrecife City Council, Renault Juan Toledo and Naviera Armas.