Fuerteventura’s lateen-sail season opens this Saturday with two races in Puerto del Rosario

The 2026 Fuerteventura Island Council Insular Lateen-Sail Boat League begins this Saturday, 5 September, in the waters off Puerto del Rosario. After the opening day scheduled for last weekend was cancelled because of sea conditions, crews will face an afternoon of double competition, with two races and the first start scheduled for 16:00.

The season was officially presented last Saturday at Puerto del Rosario Yacht Club. The event welcomed a new edition of the island competition and brought together a large part of Fuerteventura’s lateen-sailing community.

The boats had been due to take to the water for the first time that same day, but sea conditions ultimately forced the race to be cancelled. It will therefore be this Saturday that the 13 participating boats begin competing in the bay of Puerto del Rosario and officially launch the 2026 sporting calendar.

Pascual Perdomo, president of the Fuerteventura Island Federation of Lateen-Sail Boats, said: “We’re starting the season with great enthusiasm and with 13 boats on the water, a figure that shows lateen sailing is gaining strength in Fuerteventura. After being unable to compete last Saturday, we’re really looking forward to this first race day and to seeing the boats sailing in the bay again.”

This edition of the Insular League is especially significant for Fuerteventura’s lateen-sailing community, as the island will soon host the Canary Islands Championship, bringing boats and crews from different parts of the Archipelago together on the island.

Perdomo said events of this kind also help raise the profile of “a sport that is part of our history and our relationship with the sea, but which also offers competition, adrenaline and plenty of appeal to anyone discovering it”. The Federation continues to work to introduce lateen sailing to new fans and, in particular, to help younger generations get to know the sport.

The 2026 Insular League is another step towards consolidating a sport closely linked to Fuerteventura’s maritime identity, combining the preservation of a tradition with the competitive side of each race day.

The competition is once again supported by the Fuerteventura Island Council, whose backing makes it possible to continue running the Insular League and strengthen lateen sailing on the island.

Races will be streamed live

This season, the Federation will once again bring the competition to those unable to watch from the coast. Every race day in the 2026 Insular League will be streamed live on its Facebook channel.

The broadcasts will allow viewers to follow the races, the boats’ progress and the competition throughout the season, both in Fuerteventura and beyond the island.