2015 Copa del Rey MAPFRE – A record edition
by Regatta Copa del Rey on 2 Aug 2015
Record participation - 2015 Copa del Rey MAPFRE Maria Muina
The Real Club Náutico de Palma hosted today, the official presentation of 34 Copa del Rey MAPFRE. The competition returns this year to the Bay of Palma de Mallorca from August 1st to the eighth with a record of participation.
The presentation ceremony was held on the main terrace of the yacht club with the presence of Javier Sanz, president of the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP); Susana Moll, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Education and Sports of the city of Palma; Javier Olías, territorial director of MAPFRE in Baleares; Joaquin González, president of the Balearic Sailing Federation, and Madeleine Heckel, from Gaastra; among other representatives from partner companies, participants and media.
Javier Sanz was in charge of opening the ceremony, thanking MAPFRE as well as the other sponsors and partners for their involvement with the regatta, as well as the institutional support led by the Palma City Council, the Balearic Government and the Port Authority.
'Every edition I wonder whether we can match our bar, and I am always surprised to find that, despite the years, this race is able to offer more of itself,' said Sanz.
The list of pre-registered entries for this 34th edition has now reached 136 boats from 23 countries and around 1,500 sailors. It’s been the biggest record of participation in more than three decades of history of this race. All together they make, according to Javier Sanz 'the most prestigious fleet of boats in the Mediterranean. We are proud to have the best boats and sailors in the world, whose trust contributes to the prestige of our club.'
The president of the RCNP has also recognized that the club from Palma would not be 'the same without this race, and I dare say that even our city would not be the same without it. After 34 years, it has a long emotional bond with the city of Palma; is not only a sport and tourist event.'
On his part, Javier Olías, territorial president of MAPFRE in Baleares, said that this partnership 'brings us closer, and in a special way, to the Balearic Islands, the islands which we are extremely committed with through the more than 300 people which we work here at the company. I am sure that this edition will be, as in previous years, a great success, both for the city and for those who support the race, thanks to all for their intense and hard work.'
Susana Moll, Councillor for Education and Sports, closed the speeches of the presentation ceremony highlighting the importance of Copa del Rey MAPFRE for the city of Palma: 'We are delighted to offer the city and our wonderful bay in order to hold this traditional regatta which gives so much prestige to our city.'
Tomorrow, the official start; Monday, the first of the six days of competition
The competition menu of 34 Copa del Rey MAPFRE consists of six days of racing in three different race course areas distributed over the bay of Palma. The official program begins with the registration confirmation, which will run throughout the weekend. The first practice races will be an advance of the show which will be held in the bay until next Saturday.
The first scoring races will start on Monday the third at 13h00 for classes Gaastra IRC 0, Rías Baixas IRC 1, BMW ORC 1, BMW ORC 2, Air Europa X-35 and Herbalife J80. On Tuesday the classes TP52 Super Series and Singular Kitchen Soto 40 will debut in order to complete the record fleet of 136 boats from 23 nations that will fight for the crown this year. The competition will last until Saturday the eighth, when the identity of the winners of 34 Copa del Rey MAPFRE will be announced.
Another year, the action on the water will be complemented with a strong social agenda on shore, another sign of identity of an event that continues to be a reference in the Mediterranean racing season.
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