Sandberg Estates lends their name to the largest class competing in the Copa del Rey MAPFRE: the J70
by Copa del Rey MAPFRE 19 Jul 2024 11:21 BST
27 July - 3 August 2024
J70 Class at Copa del Rey MAPFRE © María Muiña / Copa del Rey MAPFRE
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.
The fleet which meets for the 42nd edition of the event is the most numerous and international to date, with 29 teams from 11 different nationalities and three continents to be represented at the start line.
Sandberg Estates and the Real Club Náutico de Palma announced today that they would be joining forces, and as such, the real estate agency lends their name to the
J/70 class for both the 42nd Copa del Rey MAPFRE and the World Championships which will also be hosted at the Mallorca yacht club just one month after the 'Copa,' from 14th to the 21st September.
Michael Schwalbach, co-founder of Sandberg Estates, expressed that, "The Copa del Rey MAPFRE has always been one of the most important events on the island and is truly referential. We are really excited to be collaborating with such a historical and prestigious club such as the RCNP, it is very special, and something we have always wanted to do."
"Moreover, the J/70 World Championship is one of the most important regattas of the year for the club. To be offering our support to the event after the Copa del Rey MAPFRE is also extremely special. Our aim is to contribute to making it a truly fantastic championship."
Many candidates for the title
29 teams will be battling to become champions of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE in an extremely well-rounded class. As was to be expected, Spain will be the most numerous of the countries represented with eight boats lining up against other teams from Brazil, Mexico, Monaco, United Kingdom, United States, Turkey, Germany, Australia, Austria and Switzerland.
The current world champion, Charles Thompson's British team "Brutus III" will be at the start line, facing Spanish team "Patakin," with their knowledge and experience of the Bay of Palma and returning to defend their Copa del Rey MAPFRE title. Another Spanish team with an experience of lifting the trophy at the prize-giving in Ses Voltes are Marcelo Baltzer and Juan Calvo, from the RCN de Dénia, winners in 2021. Likewise, another favourite for a podium position is Giancomo Serena di Lapigio's team from Monaco.
"It's fantastic to see the J/70 become the largest one-design fleet at the prestigious Copa del Rey MAPFRE. For our community of J/70 owners and sailors this is yet another opportunity to compete in a top-level international event. Everyone loves sailing on the Bay of Palma and this year it is also the best way to prepare for the J/70 World Championship, which will be hosted by the Real Club Náutico de Palma at the end of September. With the best 90 boats and teams from 24 countries on four continents, it will be the pinnacle of one-design sailing and racing," said Vittorio Di Mauro, President J/70 International Class.
Up to 12 races
The Sandberg Estates J/70 fleet will compete in up to 12 scoring races that will begin on Wednesday 31st July from 12:00h onwards. The last scoring races for the 42nd Copa del Rey MAPFRE will be held on Saturday 3rd August, with no starting signal to be sounded after 15:45h.
The 42nd edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE will be held from 27th July to 3rd August. It is organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP) under the delegation of the Real Federación Española de Vela (RFEV) (lit. Spanish Royal Sailing Federation). The event is sponsored by MAPFRE and the institutional sponsorship of the Govern de les Illes Balears (lit. Balearic Islands government), the Ayuntamiento de Palma (lit. Palm Town Hall) and with the collaboration of the Autoritat Portuaria de Balears (lit. Balearic Islands Port Authority) and the Federación Balear de Vela (lit. Balearic Islands Sailing Federation).