Last summer, the San Ginés International Regatta celebrated its 75th edition, and to commemorate this event, the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife has published a book that chronicles the history of the oldest offshore regatta in the Canary Islands, and one of the most important cruising events nationally. This work, by Mario Alberto Perdomo, expands and corrects the edition published in 2000, which covered the 50th anniversary of the San Ginés International Regatta.
The César Manrique Hall of the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife was filled to host the presentation of the book “Regata Internacional de San Ginés; 1947- 2025” on Thursday at noon. The event was attended by the president of the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife, Julio Romero, accompanied by Mario Alberto Perdomo, author of the book, and Gustavo del Castillo, commodore of the Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria. Also present were Juan Monzón, counselor for Physical Activity and Sports of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, as well as Roberto Herbón and Davinia Déniz, representing the Arrecife City Council.
Julio Romero explained that the book "preserves the living memory of the regatta, in which homage is paid to the great protagonists and a review is made of the history of a race that has consolidated over the years," and considered the regatta to be "a great celebration of Canary Islands sailing."
In the section on boats, he highlighted the "Tirma," the boat that has won the San Ginés International Regatta the most times, the "Halcón" from Tenerife which won two editions and suffered a significant accident when it ran aground on the coast of Fuerteventura, and the "Rubicón" as the winner of the first edition. And as skippers, he remembered Alfredo de Armas, the first Lanzarote skipper to win, Pedro de Armas as the skipper with the most victories, and Miguel Ángel Armas, the sailor who has participated in the race the most timesMario Alberto Perdomo, as the author of the work, explained that "the book expands and corrects the first edition, and in which the different stages of the San Ginés International Regatta are collected." He recalled that the work has been possible thanks to the collaboration of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, providing access to documentary sources, and to the help of different people who have recounted and remembered part of the history
The book includes the honor roll of the San Ginés International Regatta, featuring all the winners of the event. It also incorporates the honor rolls of the Arrecife – Agadir International Regatta and the Canarias – Madeira Regatta. Furthermore, Mario Alberto mentioned that various anecdotes from over these 75 years are included, and he did not want to forget Jesús Lasso, a journalist who was asked to write the prologue but was unable to due to health reasons.
“Regata Internacional de San Ginés: 1947-2025” has an edition of 1,000 copies and is available at the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife, with the club being responsible for its distribution among members, sailors, and all those who have been part of the history of the oldest offshore regatta in the Canary Islands
The book “Regata Internacional de San Ginés: 1947-2025” is possible thanks to the sponsorship of the Government of the Canary Islands, Cabildo de Lanzarote, Arrecife City Council, and Lanzarote Centers of Art, Culture, and Tourism (CACT), with the collaboration of Calero Marinas, Marina Rubicón, the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation, and the Royal Canary Islands Sailing Federation. Special mention goes to the Spanish Navy, which accompanied the vessels in many regattas, and also to the sponsoring companies, whose involvement has been key to ensuring the continuity and projection of the San Ginés International Regatta.