Rayco and Alfredo, two of the most internationally successful sailors on the island, five times world champions in the J/80 class, tell us about the fantastic conditions on Lanzarote’s regatta course
Both Rayco Tabares and Alfredo González began their relationship with sailing because of family tradition. Boats and sails were their favourite toys when they were very young, and as time went by, their game transformed into their profession. Today they are two of the most valued crew members nationally and internationally in different sailing classes and their amazing sports CVs include victories in the most important competitions in the world.
On the regatta course in Arrecife, which has the Real Club Náutico as its epicentre, they competed in their first island competitions in the Optimist and Cadet categories. From the age of 6 they began travelling to compete in different Spanish championships where they stood out for their skills and dexterity in the sport.
At national and international level, Canary Island sailors are very well placed right now. I think all the classes that I compete in at high level always have Canary Islanders fighting for the victories.– Rayco Tabares
At the age of 20, Rayco and Alfredo’s victories and preparation led them to be recruited by the best shipowners in the national scene to form part of the crew on their boats and that’s how, almost unexpectedly, they began to forge their professional career in the world of sailing.
As a regatta course, Lanzarote offers many alternatives for Olympic sailing, it is especially spectacular because what is needed is a daily programme and on the Lanzarote course you can do it at any time, at any place, and it is not only good for Olympic sailing, but also for ocean sailing. – Alfredo González
They represented Spain in the Rio Olympic Games in the 470 class and embarked on a project which meant facing the best in the world in each race. They both recognise that it was a wonderful time of learning, but also of hard work and sacrifice.
Today, their showcases are packed with numerous trophies demonstrating their success in world, European and Spanish championships in different classes, and countless acknowledgements of their great sporting career. Both confess that to be born in Lanzarote, a place that offers a race course that is open 365 days a year, is the dream of any sailor and that this has helped them to achieve their great professional successes.
