West Coast hosts biggest-ever youth sailing regatta

The 15th Costa Isora Regatta and fifth J.P. Fulda Trophy set a new Canarian record of 147 young entrants over the Dia de Hispanidad holiday weekend.

by James Tweedie

The 15th Costa Isora Regatta, organized by Guia de Isora’s Municipal School of Nautical Sports and the Tenerife Sailing Federation off the coastal village of Playa San Juan between 9 and 12 October, broke the participation record for competition in the ‘Laser’ sailing boat class set in1995 at Playa de Las Teresita near Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

J.P. Fulda trophy winner Paula Escuder of the Real Club Nautico and other champions (below)

Some 147 boats entered the competition, 131 in the individual competition (Optimist A, B and C, Laser 4.7 and Laser Radial) and 16 in 29er and Snipe two-person crew classes.

The entrants came from the Radazul Sea Club, the Guía de Isora Sailing School, the Low Tide Yacht Club, Real Club Nautico de Tenerife and the Aeolus Sailing Club. The youthful sailors ranged from a mere six to 20 years in age.

The JP Fulda trophy, now in its fifth year, was awarded to Paula Escuder of the Real Club Nautico de Tenerife for the lowest overall time in the light sailing craft competitions.

The trophy was established five years ago with the help of southwest Tenerife-based German businessman Jens Peter Fulda. Mr Fulda has made several financial donations to the city of Guia de Isora for the town’s School of Nautical Sports and to found a racing dinghy team.

First, second and third place trophies in each class were presented by Guia de Isora Councillor for Sport Antonio Alvarez Rivero, Canarian Sailing Federation president Eduardo Escuder Martin, Tenerife Sailing Federation manager and technical Alberto Medina and Club de Mar Radazul president Manuel Hernández Acevedo.

The races took place over three days in extreme heat and with little wind. The worst day was Monday, when a near-flat calm reigned.

Despite the poor conditions, Guia de Isora Municipal School of Nautical Sports coordinator Cayetano Almeida Montelongo said that was very pleased with the event.

We exceeded all of our initial predictions for participation” he said, “but the sad thing was that the wind conditions did not allow the athletes to shine.”

Mr Almeida Cayetano thanked local wholesale baking firm Surpán, JP Fulda, the Fishermen’s Association of Nuestra Señora de la Luz and the Tenerife Port Authority for their help in organising the regatta.

Guía de Isora council paid for the participants’ transport to the event, and laid on a picnic on the Saturday and a giant paella on the Sunday.

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