The 16th Semana Olímpica Canaria de Vela had its official start on Thursday, when participants were welcomed by local authorities. Two hundred sailors from 23 countries will start racing on Friday with the promise of “very good winds”, in the words of Canary Islands Sailing Federation Chairman, Joaquín Blanco Roca.
Like the other authorities who took part in the short event, Óscar Bergasa, President of Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria, welcomed competitors by wishing them an enjoyable stay in Gran Canaria, saying he hoped they would enjoy the island’s gentle climate and the excellent conditions of the race area in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Mimi González, Councillor for Ciudad del Mar (Sea City), is one of the most closely involved participants in this Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria project, as it is part of her political mandate and she was also an Olympic sailor. González said she was very proud of this competition, the Canary Islands’ most important dinghy sailing event.
Alejandro Barrera (Chairman of the Gran Canaria Island Sailing Federation), Carlos Ester (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Sports Councillor), and RCNGC Commodore, Matías Gómez, also took part in the welcome ceremony.
The Semana Olímpica Canaria de Vela starts on Friday and finishes on Monday 8 December. It is sponsored by the Ayuntamiento de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (City Council) and the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, as well as private companies ANFI and Naviera Armas.

Translated from spanish by Jane McGrath