Copa del Rey MAPFRE moving towards excellence for its 38th edition

2019 introduces the new classification system, which will include a classification and Final series for all classes except the GC32.

The Notice of Race for the Copa del Rey MAPFRE was published today, Friday 1st March 2019, on the events official web site, by the organising committee of the regatta, and includes the main changes to the 2019 edition.

The new classification; which will keep expectations running high up until the very last race, and the new distribution of the ORC classes (traditionally the most numerous fleet), are among the main novelties, to be reflected today in the regattas official document.

New classification system

In an aim to keep expectations running high, ahead of the last few races in the competition, in the new 2019 edition of the regatta classifications will be divided into two phases: the classification, and the Final.

The classification stage will be held between Monday 29th July and Thursday 1st August, with up to eight races held over the four days of competition.

Once six races have been completed in the classification phase, the worst result is to be discarded, and the final phase to be confirmed for Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd August, with three further races disputed without discard.

The Final will only take place if a minimum of six races have been held over the first four days. If this is not the case, the conventional classification system will remain in place as a single racing series.

The point system for the classification phase will be as per usual, with the first placed team of each race awarded one point, the second two points, the third three points, and so on.

The novelty in reaching the Final phase, is that ahead of competing in three races without discard, teams do not enter with the total number of accumulated points from the classification system, but it will depend on the individual teams position on the score board after the classification phase, ie. the first placed team will enter the Final with one point, the second two, the third three etc. As such, the dispute for the final podium will be held on the last two days of racing, with maximum equality between the top classified teams.

New distribution of the ORC class

In an attempt to adjust to the distribution systems of the fleets competing in continental events and world championships, the ORC fleet, which was traditionally the most numerous in the Copa del Rey MAPFRE with over 60 boats registered, will be ruled under the CDL system used by the World Sailing Federation, and divides the fleet into four possible classes depending on boat length and speed criteria.

The 38th Copa del Rey MAPFRE, organised by the Real Club Náutico de Palma, will be held in the Bay of Palma between 27th July and 3rd August.

See the Notice of Race [PDF] or the event website www.regatacopadelrey.com

'Team Beau Geste', winner of Mallorca Sotheby's IRC1 at the 37th Copa del Rey MAPFRE in Palma - photo © María Muiña / Copa del Rey MAPFRE