Lanzarote host the third edition of the Lanzarote International Regatta and the first race of the iQFOiL 2023 world circuit.
The Canary Islands continues as the winter epicentre of Olympic sailing. Marina Rubicón has begun the race towards Paris 2024, starting with the second edition of the iQFOiL Games Lanzarote world circuit (January 23rd-28th) and the third edition of the Lanzarote International Regatta (February 9th-17th), which included participation from the 49er, 49erFX, 470, iQFOiL, and Nacra 17 classes.
More than 350 sailors of 39 nationalities compete for the Lanzarote International Regatta. The Lanzarote International Regatta is a test that hosts a total of six Olympic classes – 49er, 49erFX, 470, iQFOil Women and Men and Nacra 17. The first classes to compete was 470 Mixed, 49er and 49erFX, which took place on Friday, 10th february. iQFOil and Nacra 17 then followed, racing on the water on Tuesday, February 14th. In the 49erFX, Freya Black and Saskia Tidey from the UK crossed the finish line in fourth, giving them the gold medal. British men James Peters and Fynn Sterritt also won in the 49er class.
The Canary Islands’ exceptional conditions, coupled with world-class facilities, have made the islands a renowned sailing destination across the globe. For nearly a decade, the island of Lanzarote has hosted athletes from diverse disciplines, and it has now cemented its position as a training center for Olympic sailors, particularly following the inaugural Lanzarote International Regatta. This winter, more than 500 sailors, coaches, and physical trainers from 36 countries have chosen Lanzarote as their training base.
Managing director of Canary Islands Tourism, José Juan Lorenzo, said: ” We are constantly trying to encourage long-term visitors to the Canary Islands. The Lanzarote International Regatta has a made a beneficial economic impact to the Canary Islands. It is very gratifying to see that a project that began with the window of opportunity that COVID-19 opened for us has been consolidated in such a short time.”
Winner of last year’s Lanzarote iQFOiL Games, Nicolas Goyard, said: “Lanzarote offers incredible weather conditions for sailing which allowed us to start training early in the season and prepare thoroughly for 2023. It’s an idyllic place to enjoy unbeatable conditions and constant winds.”
The natural conditions of the Canary Islands transform the archipelago into an ideal location for professional training and active sports. In addition to sailors, there are cyclists, triathletes, swimmers, volleyball players, surfers and runners from all over the world choosing the Canary Islands as their training base.
Find out more about the Canary Islands, Europe’s top winter sun destination, at www.hellocanaryislands.com.