Stelar premiere of the 41 Copa del Rey MAPFRE

The 41st edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE has started with good conditions on the always reliable Bay of Palma which has been able to fulfill the program of the six classes that have launched their board of points.

The wind was on time with its annual appointment with the Copa del Rey MAPFRE. The fleet went in the water with average breezes from twelve o’clock, and the first outing of the journey was able to leave after a couple of minutes past twelve. The intensity varied from 10 to 15 knots, which permitted  that the six classes summoned could return to their ‘boxes’ of the Real Club Náutico of Palma with their homework done: three out of three partials programed for the Majorica ORC and two out of two for the monotypes of the ClubSwan.

The first leaders of the 41 Copa del Rey MAPFRE are: “Palibex-Elena Nova”  (ESP) at Majorica ORC1, “Teatro Soho Caixabank” (ESP) at Majorica ORC2, “Scugnizza” (ITA) at Majorica ORC 3, “Just the Job” (GBR) at Majorica ORC 4, “Moonlight” (MON) at ClubSwan 50 and “Pez de Abril” (ESP) at ClubSwan 42.

At Majorica ORC 1, the best of the journey was the “Palibex-Elena Nova” of Javier Sanz (1+2+2), who comes next in line is “Lisa R” of Giovanni di Vincenzo (2+3+1). The “Aifos” of the Armada Española, sponsored by the King Felipe, is in fourth place, adding a 3,5 ( making a draw with “From Now On”), a fourth and a third.

At Majorica ORC 2, a perfect journey from the defender of the title “Teatro Soho Caixabank” crewed by the Javier Banderas from Malaga and sponsored by Daniel Cuevas. As he gained three wins out of three, the champion of 2022 returned to port with nothing less than nine points of advantage from his pursuer, the “Maverta” of Pedro Gil (2+2+8).

At Majorica ORC 3, the “Scugnizza” of the Italian Vincenzo Blasio also started as a head defense of his title 2022 (1+1+2). He was only overtaken by “Laplaza Assesors”  of Alexandre Laplaza from Barcelona in the last day.

Moreover, the fleet of Majorica ORC 4 returned to port with a draw between “Just the Job” of the british Scott Beattie (1+1+3) and of “Ybarra-Befesa” of Arturo Montes from Sevilla (2+2+1). Both maintained an intense duel during the unveiling journey, only interrupted by “Lassal” of Gonzalo Calvo in the last race.

The first journey of the ClubSwan 50 was settled with a draw between “Moonlight” of Graeme Peterson and “Earlybird” of Hendrik Brandis, which alternated between first and second place in the two races. It is one of the best journeys of “Moonlight”  of its debut in the class of 2022. The monegasque ship, which was fifth in the last Copa del Rey MAPFRE, has been reinforced by the New Zealander Cameron Appleton in the tactic. Furthermore, “Earlybird” is the most awarded ClubSwan 50 of the Bay of Palma, where he has won three titles, and in this edition entrusts the tactics of the Brazilian Roberto Scheidt.

In the class ClubSwan 42, the undisputed protagonist of the first day was “Pez de Abril” of José María Meseguer, winner of the two tests contested. The murcian ship, with the tactic of the olympic medalist portuguese Hugo Rocha, he prevailed for only three seconds of the first trial and he managed to speed up leaving behind his persecutors in the second, in both cases he was able to overtake the Italian “Selene Halifax”, who led by two points going in to the next day.

The competition returns this Tuesday, 1st of August, with the incorporation of the two classes which have not yet launched their classifications: Herbalife J70 and Sotheby’s Women’s Cup. All of them are summoned at the Bay of Palma to sail from 12:00h with winds of leeward-windward of all types. If the conditions allow, the Majorica ORC could compete in a coastal race on Wednesday.