Playa Blanca experienced a night full of emotions this Friday at the presentation of the second edition of the Copa Vela Latina del Sur, also held in one of the most emblematic places in the south of Lanzarote, the beach of Playa Blanca. An area where in its time more than forty small fishing boats arrived that came racing from the tip of Papagayo after completing their working day, as Benigno Caraballo, a veteran sailor from Playa Blanca, always linked to Latin sailing, reminds us.
In a welcoming atmosphere illuminated by that aura of nostalgia and memories, but with the joy of knowing that the municipality confirms its commitment to the return of Latin sailing to official competition this 2022. The five Latin sailing teams of the municipality of Yaiza, the Yaiza City Council, headed by its mayor, Óscar Noda, and the Councilor for Sports, Ángel Lago, the fans, the sailors of Playa Blanca, people from Latin sailing from the Island and the Insular Federation of Latin Sailing, represented by its president, Luis Toledo, acclaimed the presentation of the second Copa Vela Latina del Sur, giving maximum prominence to the family of the native sport.
"For Yaiza, it means the recovery of the traditional values that permeated the native sport of Latin sailing, values such as effort, sacrifice, dedication and struggle, but under the umbrella of fair play and friendship in an almost family atmosphere," said Óscar Noda.
Apart from reaffirming that the southern competition represents the success of recovering a native sport so rooted in the municipality and that had given so many mornings and afternoons of glory to the sailors of yesteryear, Ángel Lago stressed that "enjoying the boats again in the bay of Playa Blanca not only enriches the sporting field, but also helps and contributes to our merchants and hoteliers having one more opportunity to compensate for the losses that the pandemic left us."
The president of the Insular Federation of Latin Sailing praised the work of the southern teams and the strong municipal commitment to the sport, assuring that "other city councils and institutions should take note of what Yaiza is doing."
The presentation of the Cup also supported Yaiza's tribute to two great references of this sport in Lanzarote. Óscar Noda and Ángel Lago presented recognitions to Dolores Cabrera González, matriarch of the Santana Cabrera family, owner of the Bernasan boat, who has never let her guard down to maintain the tradition. A very excited Dolores, launched a message of encouragement to the youngest: "do not give up, compete in Latin sailing and keep going because this sport is beautiful."
Yaiza also wanted to pay tribute to the only active riverside carpenter in Lanzarote, Santiago González, citing him as the "architect of the beautiful jewels of naval craftsmanship that compete to excite us all." Santiago is finalizing the construction of the new Bernasan, a boat that will debut on May 7 in Puerto Calero in the first regatta of the Copa Vela Latina del Sur.
Another great novelty in Yaiza is the creation of a women's Latin sailing team. This is the Deportes Yaiza - Código Cero, the result of the municipal impulse, the acquisition of a boat destined for the girls and the agreement reached with Club Código Cero for the competition of the six crew members who are tremendously excited about their imminent debut.
The calendar of the Copa Vela del Sur 2022 invites us to follow four days with two regattas in each of them. The first is on May 7 in Puerto Calero and then three appointments in Playa Blanca, on May 21, June 11 and 18. Yaiza appreciates the support of Marina Rubicón and Puerto Calero, the federative support, both from the Canarian Federation of Latin Sailing Boats and from the Insular Federation, as well as the link this year of Salinas de Janubio.
The Playa Blanca, Bernasan, Tritón, Playa Dorada and Deportes Yaiza - Código Cero boats will compete for Yaiza, and the Isidro y Manuela, from Fuerteventura, and the Lanzarote boats Pescamar Titerroy, Faina Salinas de Janubio, Archipiélago Chinijo, Escuela de Vela, Pleamar and Guaire have also confirmed.
The City Council captured in three videos stellar moments that will remain for history: the summary of the first Copa de Vela Latina del Sur, the genesis of the women's team and the construction of the new Bernasan. The applause and comments from the public leave no room for doubt. The municipality is ready for new emotions.
