International fleet in the "Odilo ORC 1" class reflects the global nature of the 42nd Copa del Rey
by Copa del Rey MAPFRE 4 Jul 2024 02:22 EST
27 July - 3 August 2024
Copa del Rey MAPFRE ORC 1 Fleet © Nico Martinez / Copa del Rey MAPFRE
One of the most competitive fleets in the 42nd edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE is the "Odilo ORC 1" class, due to the homogeneity of its boats, and is likewise the most international group competing, with 12 countries registered across the 22 teams.
Christian Plump and Javier Sanz's Swan 42 "Elena Nova," will be heading up the fleet as they return to maintain their 2023 title,
"We are really excited to be back to defend our title," said Sanz, "We began the season with a victory in the Godó just over a month ago, and our strong point has always been the stability and the strength of our crew, which is practically the same as it has been over the last few years. Besides which, we will also be playing on home territory."
The current champions of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE will be lining up against several favourites for the podium, including Fernando Chain's "From Now On," the Argentinian team who arrive in Palma as winners of the Giraglia 2024.
"We are coming to the Copa with a great deal of enthusiasm, to participate once again and in a very competitive fleet such as the ORC 1," stated Chain, the Argentinian team's owner.
"We have worked on the boat, adjusted a few details and it has given us greater speed, which is also very encouraging. We recently raced in the Loro Piano Giraglia, another championship which we also really enjoy, and it was a great opportunity for us to get our team together in the Mediterranean and touch base with "From Now On."
Fernando Chain was clear about their aim to win the title in this 42nd edition of the event,
"I think that the enormous experience of the team, along with the pleasure of participating in an event of this magnitude is hugely motivating to set our sights on victory."
Another of the main protagonists of this edition will be Basilio Marquínez and Ignacio Montes' "Estrella Damm," who after winning the Copa del Rey MAPFRE on three occasions (1998, 2018 and 2019) will be back with a Swan 42 in their attempt to contend the favourites.
"We are all motivated and excited to be competing in the Copa del Rey MAPFRE," affirmed Ignacio Montes. The co-owner of "Estrella Damm" went on to explain, "This year we have a new boat and a new team, and our objective is to fight to once again win the Cup."
Among the entries for the "Odilo ORC 1" there are two Grand Soleil 44s: British team David Hall's "Andiamo" and Sergio Gramoso's Porto Rican team "Lazy Dog." The Grand Soleil 44 made an entry in this year's PalmaVela in May, and proved to be a highly competitive boat, beating the ClubSwan 42 fleets with great authority. As such, they promise to be a centre of attention and add expectation to whether they can repeat their success in the Bay of Palma in this year's Copa del Rey MAPFRE.
Another of the favourites that has also enjoyed success on the podium is Jorge Martínez Doreste's team, which this year will race in the Botín & Carkeek 46 "Varador" owned by Xiqui Mas. They will come head-to-head with the DK 46 "HM Hospitales-Hydra" to be skippered by Olympic and Copa del Rey MAPFRE champion Fernando León.
León was clearly excited to be starting the competition,
"We are very much looking forward to starting the Copa and sizing ourselves up against the rest of the fleet. This year, as the TP52s are in the Watches of Switzerland ORC 0 class, our group will be more competitive, although for me the favourites continue to be the Swan 42s. At the Trofeo Conde de Godó we had a good battle with them, so we hope to be able to continue to do so."
The Atlanta '96 Olympic champion sent an affectionate message to the Real Club Náutico de Palma, "We are really excited about being back in Palma, a place where we really enjoy sailing."
Odilo is sponsor of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE and lends its name to the ORC 1 class.
As such, their CEO Rodrigo Rodríguez was keen to express their delight at joining the event,
"In Odilo, we strive on a daily basis to encourage every individual to become the very best version of themselves, with unlimited learning opportunities. To learn we need specific values that are also acquired through the sport, such as discipline, teamwork, responsibility, solidarity and leadership." Rodriguez continued, "We are proud to be sponsoring the Copa del Rey MAPFRE and to be active agents in transmitting the importance of ongoing learning and the transferrable benefits of sport in other areas of life; contributing to the training of responsible citizens and individuals with integrity."
The director of the Real Club Náutico de Palma and the Copa del Rey MAPFRE, Manu Fraga, showed his enthusiasm for the participation of Odilo in the event,
"It is wonderful news for both the club and the event that a leading company in their sector wishes to join us. They will be the sponsors of the ORC 1 class, one of the most numerous and competitive of this year's edition."