Lanzarote Calero Sailing Team returns to the 44Cup: Local talent, blue tourism, and an elite project

by Jaume Soler 6 Feb 07:46 NZDT

The Lanzarote Calero Marinas Sailing Team in action last season © Nico Martínez

The Lanzarote Calero Sailing Team is returning to the 44Cup with a proposal that goes beyond competition: a high-performance sports project that promotes local talent, sustainable blue tourism, and excellence in professional sailing.

This initiative is led by the Club de Mar Puerto Calero, a non-profit organization committed to the development of sailing in Lanzarote, with the support of Turismo de Lanzarote, Centros de Arte, Cultura y Turismo (CACT), and Calero Marinas.

Promoter: Club de Mar Puerto Calero

The Club de Mar Puerto Calero is a non-profit entity dedicated to the promotion and practice of nautical sports. Since its founding in 2002, it has been a benchmark in sailing and sport fishing, organizing high-level professional events and teams that have taken the name of the Canary Islands to the international stage.

"The main objective of the Club de Mar Puerto Calero is to foster a passion for the sea and its conservation, promote competitive sailing, and boost nautical tourism in Lanzarote, while ensuring transparent and responsible management," states the club's Board of Directors.

Through the Lanzarote Calero Sailing Team, the club reaffirms its commitment to competition at the highest level, ensuring that local sailors have a platform to grow and represent Spain in the elite world of sailing.

This return marks the consolidation of a team that, led on the water by Alfredo González, stands out for its combination of experience, youth, and team spirit. With three Lanzarote-born sailors among its ranks, the Lanzarote Calero Sailing Team positions itself as a benchmark for the development of local talent in one of the most demanding competitions in the world.

An Elite Team with Lanzarote DNA

The team arrives at the 2025 44Cup with a renewed lineup and a top-tier crew:

Tactician: Alfredo González (World Champion in Swan, Snipe, and J80)
Trimmers: Nano Negrín (European Snipe Champion) and Nuno Barreto (Portuguese Olympic medalist, expert in headsail and spinnaker)
Piano: Héctor González (ClubSwan 42 World Champion)
Grinder: Daniel Armas
Floater and Navigation: Ana Hernández
Bow: Jon Larrazábal (Swan 50 World Champion)
Coach: Nico Rodríguez (Olympic medalist)

Statements from Alfredo González, Team Tactician

"Finally, after a lot of hard work, we have managed to enter the 44Cup. I am extremely grateful that our island has backed this project, which is personally the most ambitious of my sporting career."

"We have incredible professionals on the team, including local sailors. Now is the time to work hard to reach the level of the 44Cup as soon as possible. We are very aware that this is one of the most demanding classes in the world for lead-keel boats, so we will dedicate a lot of time to analyzing our competitors and fine-tuning all the areas required for a project of this magnitude."

Blue and sustainable tourism: more than a competition

The Lanzarote Calero Sailing Team will represent Spain in the 44Cup, reinforcing Lanzarote's image as a destination for blue and sustainable tourism. This approach emphasizes respect for the marine environment, connection with the natural surroundings, and a model of quality tourism, far removed from mass tourism.

High-performance sailing is positioned as a key driver of sports tourism, attracting an audience that values sustainability, environmental conservation, and a lifestyle centered around the sea. In this regard, the team is supported by Turismo de Lanzarote and the CACT, which promote the island as an international benchmark for nautical activities and sports.

Elite partners for an ambitious goal

The Club de Mar Puerto Calero, together with Turismo de Lanzarote and the CACT, is backed by Calero Marinas and the real estate developer Calmar. On the technical side, the team will wear Magic Marine, the official supplier of nautical equipment, and will have Harken, through Equipyatch as the official distributor, as well as the support of AlegraTravel as the travel partner.

All of these are key partners for an ambitious goal: to establish the Lanzarote Calero Sailing Team as a benchmark in the 44Cup and in the development of professional sailing.

The 44Cup Calendar: