The 43rd Copa del Rey MAPFRE surpasses one hundred entries

The Copa del Rey MAPFRE continues to exceed expectations, and it’s doing so well ahead of schedule. With two months still to go before the start, the iconic regatta has already surpassed 100 entries, once again solidifying its status as one of Europe’s premier sailing competitions. This 43rd edition is shaping up to be one of the most exceptional yet, coinciding with the ORC Class European Championship, the true backbone of the event since its inception 44 years ago.

The four ORC classes are reporting outstanding registration numbers, both in terms of quantity and quality, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle for the podium. Meanwhile, the one-design ClubSwan 50 and 42 classes still have room for growth, as does the Women’s Cup, which is close to reaching ten registered teams.

With these figures, everything points to the 43rd Copa del Rey MAPFRE reaching, and possibly exceeding, 120 teams before registration officially closes: May 30th for the ClubSwan 50 and 42, and June 15th for the remaining classes.

Manu Fraga, General Director of the Real Club Náutico de Palma, expressed his satisfaction with the excellent pace of this 43rd edition, still two months from kickoff: “Without a doubt, this Copa del Rey MAPFRE will be special. This year, it will host the ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) European Championship, the most representative and populous class of the regatta, which adds tremendous competitive and symbolic value.”

Between the last week of July and the first days of August, a vibrant atmosphere is expected both on the water and ashore. Over 1,500 sailors, along with their support teams, families, sponsors, guests, and accredited media, will bring life and color to the Bay of Palma. The Real Club Náutico de Palma will be decked out for the occasion, with bustling docks and city streets alive with the spirit of the regatta before and after each day’s racing.

Fraga also highlighted other positive indicators: “We are seeing high demand for boats to watch the races from the water, and there’s significant interest in the week’s social program, especially the traditional White Dinner, which we’ll host on Thursday, July 31 at the club.”

The RCNP director concluded by looking ahead to the intense work still to come: “The next two months will be hectic as we get everything in place. Our goal is for this edition to go down in history as one of the best ever.”