Marina Rubicón hosts the first stop of the 52 Super Series in the Canary Islands from this Monday. Thirteen boats from eleven nationalities are competing until Saturday, with the trade winds as the main protagonist.
The north wind is blowing strongly in Lanzarote, and not just the meteorological one. The Marina Rubicón 52 Super Series Sailing Week kicked off this Monday with the official training day, and the fleet has already realised that the Canary Islands' racecourse does not forgive. With gusts between 15 and 25 knots and a treacherous short wave, the thirteen TP52 —from eleven different nationalities— are facing a challenge that promises excitement until Saturday.
A first trial with victory for the British Alegre
The training day only allowed for one of the two planned races to be completed. The Turkish Provezza, helmed by John Cutler, dominated much of the course, but in the last downwind leg, the British Alegre, skippered by Andy Soriano, read the wind better and took the non-scoring victory. The Hong Kong Alpha Plus completed the podium of this first contact.
The Cantabrian Pablo Arrarte, trimmer of the Alegre, highlighted the toughness of the conditions. "It was a very uncomfortable course, with a short side wave, very gusty wind and big shifts. We made the right call sailing on the left on the downwind leg, which allowed us to win the race," he explained. Arrarte is part of a strong Spanish representation, with eleven sailors spread across six boats.
The trade wind, a guarantee of spectacle for the Canarian public
Forecasts indicate that the wind will be the great ally —and enemy— throughout the week. The Canarian Gustavo Martínez Doreste, a local expert and crew member of the Alegre, confirmed that the trade winds will ensure very stable conditions: "Lanzarote offers a spectacular racecourse. Depending on where the course is set, you can find flat seas, short waves, ocean swell, currents, and pressure differences. It’s a perfect place to compete because it forces constant adaptation." For Canarian fans, seeing a local sailor competing at the highest level is an extra incentive.
The largest fleet in the history of the 52 Super Series includes eleven Spanish sailors. In addition to Arrarte and Martínez Doreste, notable participants include Manu Weiller (Vayu), Pablo Torrado (Alkedo Vitamina), Pedro Mas (Alpha Plus), as well as Joan Vila, Jordi Calafat, Javier de la Plaza, and Víctor Mariño aboard Platoon Aviation. In the Provezza, Nacho Postigo, Joan Fullana, and Matthew Barber are competing again.
The leader Sled arrives with an advantage, but equality prevails
The Lanzarote event will contest the third title of the 2026 season. The American Sled, helmed by Takashi Okura, arrives as the solid leader of the overall standings after winning in Puerto Portals and Porto Cervo, with a 15-point lead over Platoon Aviation and 25 over Alkedo Vitamina. However, equality is the dominant note: nine of the thirteen teams have achieved at least one partial victory in the eighteen races held so far.
For the Canarian public, this event represents a unique opportunity to see the best boats in the world in action in a privileged setting. Scoring races will begin on Tuesday and extend until Saturday, with a maximum of ten races. Entry to the Marina Rubicón is free, and from the docks, spectators can closely follow the maneuvers of these sailing giants. For those who prefer a broader view, the nearby hills offer unbeatable panoramas of the racecourse. May the wind be plentiful.
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