Objective Copa del Rey 2025: 'Open Sea' - An Adapted Sailing Project for Cruising

The project was presented yesterday, Monday, July 29, at the RCN Palma facilities, as part of the events leading up to the Copa del Rey MAPFRE, with the goal set for 2025.

The RCN Palma facilities hosted the presentation of "Open Sea" yesterday, an inclusive, pioneering project in the sector, aimed at being on the starting line of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE 2025 as the first international competition to feature a crew entirely composed of athletes with disabilities.

Led by the inclusive sailing committee of the RFEV and the project's president, Gabriel Barroso, the presentation was attended by Joaquin Gonzalez Devesa, the new president of the RFEV, Catalina Darder, president of the Balearic Sailing Federation, and Rafael Gil March, president of the RCNP. Notable sports figures such as Juanjo Beltrán, a leading technician from the Puerto Andratx Sailing Club, Violeta de Reino, a three-time world champion, and Arturo Montes, both national representatives at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, were also present.

Amid the hectic activity at RCN Palma, ahead of the start of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE trials today, Tuesday, "Open Sea" received an excellent reception from both sailors and journalists present in Palma de Mallorca. The project highlights that sailing is a fully inclusive sport, where anyone, regardless of their characteristics, can participate, including people with disabilities, irrespective of the type or severity of the disability.

This is possible thanks to the variety and universality of boat designs, such as in dinghy sailing, where some models are recognized as international competition classes.

In cruising, boats like the R30 open up a world of possibilities for sailors with disabilities, providing an ideal platform to participate in major competitions that were previously inaccessible to most people with disabilities, advancing inclusive sailing.

In pursuit of total inclusion in sailing, the next steps for "Open Sea" will be to define the boat and crew that will enable them to be at the starting line of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE in 2025.

The boat must be accessible, safe, and meet the requirements to compete in regattas under the ORC measurement system. Additionally, the crew must have experience in sailing and competition, suitability for the assigned position on board according to mobility level, decision-making ability, etc., and compatibility with regatta conditions such as race duration, temperature changes, etc.

The proposed unit for the "Open Sea" project is the R-30 by Comuzzi Yachts. Measuring nine and a half meters in length and transportable by trailer, this boat is designed for both people without disabilities and those with disabilities, including wheelchair users, without distinction. It features elegant lines and a responsive handling system, offering a comfortable command position. The overall aesthetic is characterized by the large, spokeless wheel and a movable platform that allows wheelchair positions to adjust to the boat's heel.

The R-30 has an open stern for easy crew boarding and a completely flat deck plan. The steering wheel allows passage through it, enabling some wheelchairs to reach the bow area. Additionally, there are anchor points to secure wheelchairs, and the deck seats are removable to expand space.