The four ORC divisions got underway in Palma Bay as the 43rd edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE commenced. A gentle northeasterly breeze, which at times barely exceeded ten knots, allowed only one race to be completed on the opening day. The wind faded after the first leg, leaving no chance for a second start.
As a result, the 117 teams from 24 nations, also competing for the ORC European Championship, returned to the Real Club Náutico de Palma with just one score on the board.
It was a strong opening for the Italian entries. In ABANCA ORC 0, Blue, a TP52 skippered by Fabrizio Boromei, claimed the day’s win. Fellow Italian boat Vudu, also a TP52, came second under the helm of Mauro Gestri, followed by the Spanish-flagged Urbania, a Soto 52 skippered by Tomás Gasset. Aifos, with King Felipe VI on board, finished ninth after a tough race in a highly competitive fleet.
In Sail Racing ORC A, the ClubSwan 42s dominated, taking five of the top six positions. Leading the fleet was Morgan V, skippered by Italian Nicola De Geminis, followed by Pez de Abril, sailed by José María Meseguer, and Elena Nova, helmed by German skipper Christian Plump. Estrella Damm, a DK46 with Luis Martínez Doreste at the helm, led for much of the race but ultimately finished fourth, the only non-Swan among the frontrunners.
In the Ubico ORC B class, Italy claimed another win with Guardamago, skippered by Massimo Romeo Piparo, runner-up in ORC 2 in 2024. The victory was narrow, just 22 seconds ahead of Bamak, skippered by Rodrigo Vargas, and 41 seconds in front of the Portuguese entry Syone Panther, helmed by Nuno Neves.
Early Bird leads the way in Uber ORC C. German owner Hendrik Brandis, reigning world champion and last year’s winner in the ClubSwan 50 class, has opted to compete this time with a Cape 31. He has reinforced his crew with Mallorcan tactician Manu Weiller in pursuit of the European crown.
As in every edition, one of the highlights is the participation of King Felipe VI, who had completed several training sessions in the days leading up to the event. Once again, he joined the crew aboard Aifos for another campaign in ORC 0. Upon arrival at the yacht club, he was welcomed by Admiral Jaime Rodríguez-Toubes and greeted by Rafael Gil, president of the Real Club Náutico de Palma.
Felipe VI has taken part in most editions of the Copa del Rey since it was first held in 1982, although he has yet to win the trophy. His father, King Juan Carlos I, claimed victory five times with the yacht Bribón.
Aifos500, the vessel skippered by the Spanish Navy, belongs to the Comisión Naval de Regatas de Baleares. It is a TP52 built by Cookson Boats in New Zealand and designed by Farr Design. Measuring 15.84 metres in length, with a beam of 4.38 metres and a draft of 3.24 metres, it is one of the most technically advanced boats in its class. Aifos competes in ORC 0, the category reserved for the largest and fastest yachts.
Admiral Jaime Rodríguez-Toubes serves as the official skipper of Aifos, and the crew is made up of officers, non-commissioned officers and midshipmen from the Spanish Navy. The team began training at the Porto Pi naval base in the days leading up to the regatta, focusing on technical adjustments before racing officially began.
Meanwhile, the fight for the Balearia Women’s Cup title begins today. Fifteen all-female teams will compete in a round-robin format consisting of qualifying series among groups of six boats, ensuring that all crews face each other. The top six teams at the end of this phase will advance to Saturday’s Medal Series, where the title will be decided over three final races.
The competition will conclude on Saturday 2 August with the traditional prize-giving ceremony, which will be presided over by King Felipe VI himself.
