A wide and successful fleet of Swan Yachts to the iconic Copa Del Rey Mapfre in Palma de Mallorca
by ClubSwan Racing 3 Aug 22:54 PDT
27 July - 3 August 2024
Pez de Abril wins in the ClubSwan 42 and Earlybird in the ClubSwan 50, while Elena Nova is leader in the ORC 1
The prestigious Copa del Rey Mapfre once again serves as a significant highlight in the Swan sailing calendar. Two Swan One Design classes attended this year, marking it consistently as one of the bucket-list regattas of the season either for ClubSwan 50 and ClubSwan 42 (for the latter being part of The Nations League circuit).
This year, the regatta boasts a robust participation with a total of 121 entries, 23 of which are Swan yachts. This significant representation highlights the enduring appeal and competitive spirit of the Swan class, as they make up 30% of the event's offshore classes.
Venue and Institutional Quotes
The Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP) continues to solidify its reputation as a premier sailing venue. Rafael Gil March, President of RCNP, expressed his enthusiasm: "The Real Club Náutico de Palma is honoured to have welcome once again the Nautor Swan fleet. For many years now, the RCNP and Nautor Swan have had a very special relationship that was born, fruit in the organization of several joint racing events. The RCNP is the home of the Nautor Swan owners, who are always welcome. The union of our brands contributes to our mutual prestige and is a guarantee of success in everything we collaborate on."
Event Summary and Results
The event started on July 27 with the qualifiers that saw six races held under consistent South-Southwest winds ranging from 8 to 15 knots, typical Palma Bay conditions. Leading the standings in the two classes were the German yacht Earlybird in the ClubSwan 50, followed by compatriots Onegroup and Hatari. Onegroup proved to be in great shape even after a year and a half away from competitions and with a completely renewed crew, by achieving two back-to-back bullets in the fifth and sixth races. In the ClubSwan 42, the Spanish yacht Pez De Abril led the standings, followed by the Italian yachts Canopo and Selene.
During the four final races, where results were weighted with a coefficient of 1.5 and no discards allowed as per the Notice of Race, the wind conditions remained similar, oscillating between South and South-West. In the ClubSwan 50, Earlybird, a seasoned participant and ardent supporter of the Copa del Rey, reclaimed the title, having previously won in 2017, 2018, and 2021, and keeping the lead from day one. In the ClubSwan 42, Pez De Abril held onto its lead, showcasing an inspired week and securing the event's win, adding to its previous ones in 2017 and 2018 and continuing its streak of podium finishes over the last three years. The ORC 1 class also saw a notable victory from the German-Spanish team Elena Nova.
Federico Michetti, Head of Sports Activities at Nautor Swan commented: " another successful edition of the Copa del Rey Mapfre, with 23 Swan yachts. We, As ClubSwan Racing, are looking forward to be back at Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP with the Swan One Design Worlds, scheduled from October 23 to 27, representing the pinnacle of our One Design season, together with the Rolex Swan Cup, another jewel of the crown of our calendar, happening next September. The allure of this venue lies not just in its impeccable racing course, but also in its flawless event management and the club's unparalleled hospitality. These elements combine to create an unforgettable racing experience, setting the stage for an always extraordinary celebration of sailing."
ClubSwan Racing is giving appointment to its passionate sailors to the Rolex Swan Cup (Porto Cervo, 15-21 September), representing an iconic event for Nautor Swan marking the history of the legendary Finnish brand.
The Nations League is made possible thanks to the main partners, including Rolex, Randstad, Porsche Italia and Banor, as well as technical sponsors such as QuantumSails, North Sails, Doyle Sails, Garmin, Sailmon, B&G, Gottifredi Maffioli, AON, Ethimo, and Ferrari Trento.