The SSL Gold Cup Event Village in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria was buzzing on Monday evening as the new teams arrived for the 1/8 Finals. It was a sea of colours as all the teams from the last round mingled with the new contenders, all clad in their bright national kits.
The Opening Ceremony was hosted by SSL Commentator Yann Dorset, with Paul Hutton, Regatta Director, and Andrus Poksi, Chair of the International Jury, then speaking to the sailors.
Yann Dorset spoke briefly about the event so far, and particularly thanked the Tahiti team for their generosity during Sunday night’s festivities, serving up their national delicacy and buying beers for their fellow sailors..
Paul Hutton greeted the athletes by wishing them all the very best of sailing, and the very best of competition here in Gran Canaria, while Andrus Poksi added that they should have fair racing, enjoy the event and have fun.
So, what do the next few days of racing hold in store for us?
The ‘Golden Eagles’ from USA and Argentina’s ‘Condores’ have landed in Fleet 1 to compete against Hungary’s ‘Shamans’ and the Malaysian ‘Monsoon’.
In Fleet 2, we have the Polish ‘Sea Wolves’ and the Brazilian ‘Storm’ entering alongside the Lithuanian ‘Ambers’ and Tahiti’s ‘Black Pearls’.
Fleet 3 sees newcomers ‘The Helvetic Lakers’ from Switzerland and Norway’s ‘Norstream’ facing ‘Team Ubuntu’ from South Africa and Chile’s ‘Finis Terrae Warriors’.
Finally, Fleet 4 has new contenders the Swedish ‘Vikings’ and ‘Les Bleus’ from France challenging the Portuguese ‘Navigators’ and Slovenia’s ‘KRPANI1860’.
Mark has been managing sailing websites since 1996, always being at the forefront of technology, and now manages the combined Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com network. He has covered events such as the International Moth World Championship and Cowes Week, focusing on the sailors' thoughts and words. Mark has been European Champion in the Farr 30 & J/24 class and has won numerous UK titles, and competes regularly in local and national events in dinghies and sportsboats.