43rd Copa del Rey MAPFRE
The stage is set. The sense of anticipation around the race dock at the RCNP is frenetic as the fleet prepares to set out onto the Bay of Palma for the first races of the 43rd Copa del Rey MAPFRE. This year is special, bigger and more competitive than ever as the ORC European Championships are integrated into the annual Mediterranean showcase regatta.
With the ORC European Championships having been raced last year in Finland, many successful teams from the Baltic area have been drawn to compete in the Mediterranean this year, some for the first time. For them the change to the typical Mediterranean sea breeze conditions will offer a new dimension to their challenge. For sure the fleets are stacked full of talent and racing promises to be very close.
Champions from 2024 Finland who are back to try and defend their titles include Sugar, the Estonian Italia Yachts 11.98 which has moved up a class to Ubico ORC B. The Hong Kong TP52 which won ORC A last year is elsewhere competing right now at the Admiral’s Cup but Germany’s runners up last year, Johannes Wackerhagen’s Kinerim 49 Desna are here in Palma, intending to go one better than last year. They scratch boat in Sail Racing ORC Class A and are a young crew led by an owner-driver who is 34.
“We did well in the practice race yesterday, first at the first two marks and then it is bad luck to win the practice race….but we are in good shape, we have been out here for a couple of weeks prepping and practising. The competition here in the Med is a lot stronger than in the Baltic so it is going to be hard. We were happy with the second last year but expecting close competition, especially from the Estrellla Damm Sailing Team boat (Luis Martinez Doreste) and the Monaco boat (Vargen, the new Club Swan 43) which we have been closest with so far. This is the first time the boat has been in the Med so it is new. And we are a young team, the oldest is the owner who is 34. We have a great mix of young amateurs.” James Oxenham, trimmer, explains, “The forecast is looking OK. We are xpecting the afternoon shut down to be later, now as late as 1600hrs, so we should be good for a couple of races.”
Two course area are in use today Alfa and Bravo for the ORC European Championships. The Balearia Women’s Cup starts tomorrow on their own racing area.
The forecast shows the best promise earlier in the afternoon when the fleets should see 12-14kts largely from the NE quadrant which will be interesting as blowing offshore it will be quite shifty. And with the cloud cover present and expected there should be less thermal influence than usual and so a good chance of getting in the two windward leeward races scheduled
