Sailors from eight countries have already confirmed their participation in the first event of the Laser Europa Cup series, to be held in Gran Canaria from 13 to 15 February. With just over two weeks before the competition starts in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, entries are coming in steadily.

Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria is organising the Europa Cup Gran Canaria 2015, coinciding with the final international event on the Gran Canaria Sail in Winter programme: Regata de Carnaval – Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Three race areas are planned for the regattas.

Europa Cup Gran Canaria 2015 will bring together some 80 sailors from all the Laser class categories: the Olympic classes (Standard and Radial) and the beginners’ classes (men’s Laser and 4.7). A bonus of this event is the chance to compete on the home ground of the two current ISAF world youth champions, Martina Reino and Joel Rodríguez, and 4.7 runner-up world champion, Ismael Iess.

Points in the Laser class will count towards both the Europa Cup and the Regata de Carnaval, in which 10 catamarans and around 10 boats in the 2.4mR Paralympic class will also compete.

The host club is backed by Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Hall and Gran Canaria’s Cabildo, in addition to three sailing federations: Real Federación Española de Vela, Federación Canaria de Vela and Federación Insular de Vela de Gran Canaria.

La Regata de Carnaval – Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is named after the most important festival on the island of Gran Canaria. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival is one of the world’s top carnivals and the regatta will be held during the key days of the festivities. The organisers offer sailors the chance to discover a fiesta that’s quirky, fun and a real crowd puller.

Translated from Spanish by Jane McGrath