Lanzarote backs Calero Sailing Team for 44Cup Baiona

Following their participation in the opening round of the 2024 44Cup in their own Puerto Calero in Lanzarote back in March, Daniel Calero’s Calero Sailing Team is set to continue competing in the 2024 44Cup for the circuit’s second event taking place next week (8-12 May) in Baiona, in Spain’s northwest region of Galicia.

 Going into the 44Cup Baiona, owner-driver Daniel Calero commented: “For the Calero Sailing Team, it's a great privilege to face our new challenge on the prestigious 44Cup circuit. It has been a tough endeavour, but thanks to our sponsors, we'll be competing against the world's top sailors in Baiona. We're eager to showcase what we've learned in the 44Cup Calero Marinas and hope to deliver a thrilling performance."  

 Calero Sailing Team returned to the 44Cup in March for the first time since 2013. Originally the Calero family team was encouraged to join the fledgling RC44 circuit for its second season in 2008 by class founder Russell Coutts. Back then, their top season result was fifth place out of a fleet of 15 boats in 2011. However, the Caleros were most renowned for hosting RC44 events in Lanzarote. These included RC44 World Championships in 2010, 2011 and 2013. Their marinas have been a regular and popular winter destination for the RC44 class ever since.

While the first race of the 44Cup in Puerto Calero, Lanzarote, was the team introduction to the class, in the Baiona race they are ready to compete with the best and fly the flag at the highest level, representing the only Spanish boat in the circuit.

 Daniel Calero´s team includes his local tactician, Lanzarote sailor Alfredo Gonzalez, a seven-time world champion in classes ranging from the highly competitive Snipe to the J/80, Swan 42 and 45.

While several members of his original team now compete on other boats on the 44Cup, the latest version of the Calero Sailing Team includes multiple round-the-world race sailor Pablo Arrarte; two-time 49er Olympian Iago López; TP52 grinder Francesco Scalice; four-time world champion pitman Héctor González and trimmer Jon Lazarrabal, also a four-time world champion. All the 44Cup teams now feature a female crewwoman. The Calero Sailing Team’s member is the highly qualified Silvia Mas, who in 2021 was the 470 Women’s World Champion (before the Olympic double hander became a mixed discipline for Paris 2024).

 Calero Sailing Team has been able to maintain its presence on the 44Cup thanks to the support of several backers, led by the Centros de Arte, Cultura y Turismo de Lanzarote (the Art, Culture and Tourism Centres (CACT) of the Cabildo of Lanzarote). These centres, designed by renowned local artist, sculptor and nature activist César Manrique, are attached to key Lanzarote tourist attractions which Manrique, in his unique style, integrated into Lanzarote’s landscape.

 For the 44Cup Baiona, the Calero Sailing Team is supported by Calero Marinas, a family-run company managing sports marinas in the Canary Islands. They currently operate three marinas: Puerto Calero, Marina Lanzarote and Marina La Palma, with a fourth project in the pipeline, Marina Jandia in the south of Fuerteventura. It will be fully operational with all services by March 2025. Additionally, the Calero Sailing Team benefits from the invaluable sponsorship of Turismo Lanzarote, which, through its brand “Lanzarote the Unique Island”, aims to advance towards a sustainable and high-quality tourism model based on unique experiences that strengthen emotional bonds between the island and its visitors.

 Racing at the 44Cup Baiona takes place from Thursday 9 May until Sunday 12 May with practice racing on Wednesday 8 May.