The ClubSwan One Designs, loyal participants in the Copa del Rey MAPFRE
by 41 Copa del Rey MAPFRE 14 Jul 2023 15:28 BST
30 July - 5 August 2023
Copa del Rey MAPFRE - ClubSwan 50 fleet sailing on the Bay of Palma last year © Nico Martínez / Copa del Rey MAPFRE
Two ClubSwan one design classes will compete in the 41st edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE. Nine ClubSwan 50s and eight ClubSwan 42s will compete in real time for victory on the Bay of Palma from 31st July to 5th August, including the title defenders in both categories.
ClubSwan is the competitive division of the one design classes manufactured by the prestigious Finnish boatbuilder Nautor's Swan. The class joined the Copa del Rey MAPFRE for the first time in 2017 with the ClubSwan 42 class and the world debut in competition of the ClubSwan 50. Both classes are back this year with a fleet of 17 teams and five different nationalities: Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Great Britain and Monaco will be represented at the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP).
Emerico Fuster, President of the RCNP, highlighted the importance of the ClubSwan for the success of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE,
"Thank you for the support that you have shown us over the last few years, for the important representation you give to our sport and for making everything so easy. I hope that we might continue sailing onwards together so that this edition of the Copa del Rey (ours and yours) continues to be the best regatta in the Mediterranean, and a source of pride for the city of Palma and for Spanish sailing."
"The Copa del Rey MAPFRE is one of the most important events in the Mediterranean racing season, and we are delighted to be a part of it," explained
Federico Michetti, director of sporting activities at Nautor's Swan.
"It is based on the wonderful island of Mallorca and the port of Palma, which have been fundamental for the success of the ClubSwan Racing initiative, and the development of the racing community which we are greatly involved in. Together we can celebrate that we have our place at the very heart of world sailing."
The 41st edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE is a part of the Swan One Design 2023 and The Nations League 2023 circuits.
ClubSwan 50
Pablo Garriga's Tenaz will be the only team sailing for Spain in the ClubSwan 50 fleet which includes four German teams, two Italians and one team from Monaco. The line-up naturally includes the very best participants in the last few years, including Marcus Brennecke's Hatari (winners in 2022), Hendrik Brandis' Earlybird (winners in 2021, 2018 and 2017) and Leonardo Ferragamo's Cuordileone (winners in 2019). Andrea Laconte's Vitamina is another team to watch out for, currently leaders of the class in The Nations League 2023.
The ClubSwan 50 was officially presented in the Copa del Rey MAPFRE in 2016 and joined the fleet in 2017. The 15.25 metre hull can be distinguished by a unique inverted bow shape with a fixed bowsprit, whilst on deck it is crowned by a 20-metre mast. Teams are usually made up of 12 sailors.
ClubSwan 42
Three Spanish teams will compete in the ClubSwan 42 class: Pedro Comas'
Nadir (winners 2022), José María Meseguer's Pez de Abril (winners in 2017 and 2018) and Luis Senís' Porrón X. Three Italian, one British and one French team complete the class line up. Nadir is currently the provisional leader of the Nations League 2023 circuit.
The ClubSwan 42 measures 42.6 feet (13 metres) in length and was presented in 2006 principally to be sailed by amateur crews. A habitual participant in the ORC fleets sailing in compensated time, since 2017 the class has participated in the action on the Bay of Palma and competing in real time.
The two ClubSwan One Design classes will compete in a maximum of 12 windward-leeward races from Monday 31st July to Saturday 5th August.
The 41st Copa del Rey MAPFRE is organised by the Real Club Náutico de Palma and the Real Federación Española de Vela (lit. Spanish Royal Sailing Federation), and sponsored by MAPFRE, with the institutional collaboration of the Govern de les Illes Balears (Balearic Islands government), the Ayuntamiento de Palma (Palma Town Hall), the Autoritat Portuaria de Balears (Balearic Islands Port Authority) and the Federación Balear de Vela (Balearic Islands Sailing Federation).