The Copa del Rey in Palma de Mallorca is always a highlight of the grand prix racing season, but this 43rd edition — which also hosts the ORC European Championship — brings together an impressive fleet of 130 yachts from 24 countries, with over 1,300 sailors competing.
Italy Yachts is fielding nine teams across three race courses at this year’s Copa del Rey, taking place in Palma through August 2nd. In ORC Class A, Windflower, an IY 14.98 newly arrived from Hong Kong and helmed by owner Youn Ye, is battling for the top spot alongside Tanit VI Medilevel, skippered by MariaJosé Vila Valadero.
The largest fleet, ORC Class B, features Sugar 3 owned by Ott Kikkas, as well as four IY 11.98s: Guardamago 3 (Massimo R. Piparo), Geex (Angelo Lobinu), ToBe (Stefano Rusconi), and the crew led by Paolo Bucciarelli.
Meanwhile, the ORC Class C line-up includes three IY 9.98s: Sarchiapone Fuoriserie (Gianluigi Dubbini), Wanderlust (Josep Pons), and Giulia (Rudolf Vrestal), all contending for class honors.
The opening days have been marked by light and shifty breeze, making it particularly challenging for the race committee to set the course for the offshore leg.
