Please select your home edition
Edition
Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design

Swan racing teams prepare to make their mark at 41 Copa del Rey MAPFRE

by ClubSwan Racing 26 Jul 2023 01:58 PDT 31 July - 5 August 2023

"We know Hatari, along with the rest of the ClubSwan 50 class, are super-competitive, so we will have to work hard and sail smart to hold our own. It has been a great start to the season for us, but we still have a lot to learn and improve on. We have some strengths and some areas where we know we can and need to do better before we can say we're really competitive. But that is a big part of the whole ClubSwan Racing scene — great racing and friendly competition, and everyone is out there to deliver the best results they can." - Francesco Mongelli, navigator, multiple world champion and America's Cup sailor

The ClubSwan Racing family is gathering once again for the Copa del Rey MAPFRE, with the 41st edition of the classic Mallorcan regatta marking the mid-way point of the closely contested ClubSwan Racing season.

With all still to play for in the ClubSwan 50 and ClubSwan 42 one-design classes, as well as the Nations League inter-country competition, results out on the Bay of Palma could play a significant part in deciding the final outcomes.

And with several yachts also racing in three of the ORC handicap classes a total of 26 Swans will be taking part, comprising some 25% of the overall entry list.

"The Swan brand has been an important part of the success of the Copa del Rey since it was established in 1982," said Emerico Fuster, president of event organiser the Real Club Náutico de Palma, "and we are pleased that so many will be present for the 41st edition of this respected and high-profile international event."

In the ClubSwan 42 class Pedro Vaquer Comas and his Nadir (ESP) team are top of the Nations League table and will no doubt face further competition from their compatriot Jose Maria Meseguer's Pez de Abril for racing honours in Mallorca after close racing at earlier events.

And an additional challenge in the class comes in the form of Jerome Stubler's Raving Swan (FRA) and Luis Senis' Porron X (ESP), with both ClubSwan 42 teams joining the ClubSwan Racing circuit for the remainder of the season.

In the ClubSwan 50 class - which is welcoming the arrival of Pablo Garriga's Tenaz (ESP) - Andrea Lacorte's Vitamina (ITA) currently leads the Nations League race, but only two points ahead of Marcus Brennecke's Hatari (GER) who arrive in Palma buoyant after a clear victory at The Nations Trophy, the most recent ClubSwan Racing event in June.

Perhaps key to Vitamina's chance of success in Mallorca will be the contribution of her navigator, multiple world champion sailor and former member of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli America's Cup team, Francesco Mongelli.

"We know Hatari, along with the rest of the ClubSwan 50 class, are super-competitive, so we will have to work hard and sail smart to hold our own," said Mongelli.

"It has been a great start to the season for us, but we still have a lot to learn and to improve on. Many of our competitors know their boats better than we do, especially Hatari who have a 360-degree advantage over most of the fleet due to their knowledge of their boat, quality of race management and people involved in the team. We have some strengths and some areas where we know we can and need to do better before we can say we're really competitive. But that is a big part of the whole ClubSwan Racing scene — great racing and friendly competition, and everyone is out there to deliver the best results they can. And of course, in one-design you know exactly how you are doing all the time."

Meanwhile in ORC1 Fernando Chain's Swan 45 From Now ON (ARG) came second in both 2021 and 2022, so will be looking to go one better this year. To do so they will have to get past a competitive class which includes former RCNP President Javier Sanz, joint owner with Christian Plump of the ClubSwan 42 Elena Nova (GER).

The 17-strong ORC2 class features no fewer than five ClubSwan 42s, while the Swan 40 Lena Ly (GER) is Swan's sole representative in ORC3, the largest class at the regatta.

Even before the trio of new arrivals at 41 Copa del Rey MAPFRE, The Nations League has seen a total of 33 ClubSwan one-design entries racing this season, a clear sign the initiative has struck a chord with owners.

"ClubSwan Racing has been attracting new owners to the Swan family and 41 Copa del Rey MAPFRE, an absolute highlight of the Mediterranean sailing season, provides a great showcase for both our one-design classes and the strong and competitive entries we can see across the rating classes," said Federico Michetti, Head of Sport Activities at Nautor Swan.

"We are always delighted to be racing in Palma and it is also a further valued opportunity to reaffirm our long-standing relationship with the Real Club Náutico de Palma, a partnership that grows stronger with each passing year."

Racing begins on the Bay of Palma on Monday 31 July, with the regatta concluding with the final race on Saturday 5 August.

Related Articles

43rd Copa del Rey MAPFRE surpasses 50 entries
14 nationalities on the entry list Four months ahead of its 43rd edition, which will also host the ORC European Championship, the Copa del Rey MAPFRE already boasts 55 boats from 14 nationalities on its entry list. Posted on 1 Apr
43rd Copa del Rey MAPFRE schedule announced
Notice of Race published for the 43rd edition The Real Club Náutico de Palma and the Real Federación Española de Vela (lit. Spanish Sailing Federation) have published the Notice of Race for the 43rd edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE 2025. Posted on 27 Aug 2024
42nd Copa del Rey MAPFRE Prize Giving
The King Felipe of Spain presents the awards to the winners This Saturday, 3th August, Ses Voltes hosted the presentation of trophies for the 42nd Copa del Rey MAPFRE. The ceremony, which took place at 21:00 hours at the end of the last day of competition, was presided over by King Felipe of Spain. Posted on 4 Aug 2024
Winners crowned at 42nd Copa del Rey MAPFRE
The new Finals format added spice to the deciding finale The usually reliable Bay of Palma has not only delivered good racing conditions for each and every day of the 42nd Copa del Rey MAPFRE but it saved the best until the last day when the new Finals format added spice to the deciding finale. Posted on 3 Aug 2024
42nd Copa del Rey MAPFRE Day 4
Class titles set to be decided Saturday Hendrik Brandis, owner-driver of ClubSwan 50 leader Earlybird, has not won the class at Copa del Rey MAPFRE since 2021 but carrying a lead of 5.5 points into Saturday's finale he has high hopes of retaining the upper hand over his German rival. Posted on 2 Aug 2024
42nd Copa del Rey MAPFRE Day 3
With the band back together, OneGroup making waves in ClubSwan 50s After a two year hiatus Stefan Heidenreich's Swiss flagged OneGroup marked their return to the ClubSwan 50 class at 42 Copa del Rey MAPFRE with a double bullet Thursday. Posted on 1 Aug 2024
42nd Copa del Rey MAPFRE Day 2
Starting is key on a typical Palma day With another two good windward leeward races sailed for the ClubSwan 50 and ClubSwan 42 fleets at the 42nd Copa del Rey MAPFRE on the Bay of Palma no team in either division is managing to maintain a high level of consistency. Posted on 31 Jul 2024
42nd Copa del Rey MAPFRE Day 1
Super reliable breezes refresh the perfect recipe The ever reliable Bay of Palma winds came in on cue to deliver the perfect opening races at the 42nd edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE, the jewel in the crown of Mediterranean regattas. Posted on 30 Jul 2024
42 Copa del Rey MAPFRE official presentation
Over 120 teams and 23 nationalities will make the Bay of Palma epicentre of Mediterranean sailing The Real Club Náutico de Palma hosted the official presentation of the 42 Copa del Rey MAPFRE, an edition that is characterised by its high number of participants, an intense social programme and the consolidation of its commitment to sustainability. Posted on 27 Jul 2024
J70 at Copa del Rey MAPFRE Preview
The regatta will be the precursor for the J/70 Worlds The seven-metre J/70 is quite possibly the most numerous One-Design class in the world. Fast, agile and stable, it has been a fixture in the Copa del Rey MAPFRE since 2021. Posted on 19 Jul 2024
Sea Sure 2025Lloyd Stevenson - Catalyst Yacht Tender 1456x180px BOTTOMMackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOM