The Liga SUMA Banco Fijo del Mediterráneo 2023-2024 kicked off last Sunday in Valencia. More than 400 athletes gathered at the facilities of the Real Club Náutico Valencia to start one of the most important rowing competitions in the country. The weather was favourable, and over the waters of Pinedo and l’Arbre del Gos Beaches, a great sports spectacle took place, highlighting the excellent form of the Valencian and Alicante clubs. The competition, organized by the Rowing Federation of the Valencian Community with the financial support of SUMA Gestión Tributaria, successfully completed its first race out of the eleven scheduled in the calendar.

The results from Valencia also determine the first leaders of the league. Each club earns points based on their position in each race, and these points are reflected in the overall standings.

The event began with the departure of two cadet teams, female and mixed, from Real Club Náutico Valencia, who completed a 2,000-metre course. The distance increased to 5,000 meters for the rest of the categories. Club Náutico Alicante Costa Blanca presented a boat in the female youth race, while they won the male race in this age group. In the Mixed Gender Promotion category, the victory went to the representative of Club Rem Cía Gandía.

The veterans’ category had the highest participation, with a total of 22 boats. Real Club Regatas Alicante emerged victorious in the men’s group, and Club Deportivo de Mar Clot de L’Illot El Campello won the women’s departure.

The regatta concluded with the absolute heats. In the women’s race, the first team to cross the finish line was Club Náutico Alicante Costa Blanca, stopping the clock at 28 minutes and 26 seconds. Club Náutico Benidorm followed in the arrival, and Club Náutico Santa Pola completed the podium. The absolute men’s race was dominated by the first team of Real Club Náutico Valencia, completing the course in 25 minutes and 22 seconds. Real Club Náutico Denia secured the silver medal, and Club Náutico Santa Pola repeated in the third position.

The Liga SUMA Banco Fijo del Mediterráneo has its next event on Sunday, December 3rd, in Santa Pola. It marks the celebration of the second race of the season, which is also the Regional Long-Distance Championship. The clubs will participate in the thirty-fifth edition of the popular Crossing that connects Santa Pola and Tabarca, one of the most prominent events on the calendar.

Report by Carlos Catalán Ruz

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’