The ClubSwan One Design annual date with the Copa del Rey MAPFRE
by Copa del Rey MAPFRE 23 Jul 2024 14:16 BST
27 July - 3 August 2024
ClubSwan 50 - Copa del Rey MAPFRE © Nico Martínez / Copa del Rey MAPFRE
Since their incorporation in the Copa del Rey MAPFRE in 2017, the One Design ClubSwan class has continued to strengthen their relationship with the event hosted by the Real Club Náutico de Palma.
The competitive division of the Nautor Swan boatyard will be represented by two of their classes in this year's edition of the competition: the ClubSwan 42 and ClubSwan 50. The World Championships for the Swan one designs will also be hosted at the RCNP in October.
ClubSwan Racing is one of the most active competitive divisions in the world, with a consolidated international one design circuit including a committed group of loyal boat owners who vouch for the values of the prestigious Nautor Swan boatyard. Each season, they return to the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP), a referential date in the ClubSwan calendar, and since 2017 are an important part of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE fleet.
Federico Michetti, Manager of Nautor Swan sporting activities, explained the reasons for returning to the RCNP every year, "The location in Palma is not only attractive for its spectacular racecourse, but also for the impeccable event management and incomparable hospitality of the club. All of these elements combine to create a completely unforgettable regatta experience and an extraordinary celebration of sailing."
In this year's 42nd edition, seven teams from the ClubSwan 42 and seven teams from the ClubSwan 50 will be competing. Nautor Swan will also be present with an important participation in the Watches of Switzerland ORC 0 and ODILO ORC 1 classes.
"The ClubSwan one designs are regular participants in the Copa, and a guarantee for some spectacular sailing. We are really delighted to have them back again with us," emphasized Manu Fraga, the Copa del Rey MAPFRE director, "The ClubSwan 50s are very professional teams, who come to the event with a lot of training behind them after competing on their European circuit, and the great equality between the ClubSwan 42s guarantees a remarkably intense battle for the title right up until the last race."
ClubSwan 50
The ClubSwan 50 was first presented at the Copa del Rey MAPFRE in 2016 and has not missed a single event in Mallorca since it joined as a class in 2017. Designed by Argentinian Juan Kouyoumdjian, it is noteworthy for its characteristic reverse bow topped by a bowsprit and a consolidated, extremely competitive and balanced international fleet. Each team usually races with a crew of 12 sailors on board.
Participating for the seventh time, in the 42nd edition, the ClubSwan 50 class will be represented by seven teams from four different nationalities, with principally professional crews including world champions, Olympic medallists and America's Cup winners.
Naturally two of the most successful teams in the class will be present in Palma: Marcus Brennecke's Hatari (winners of the last two editions) and Hendrik Brandis' Earlybird (winners in 2017, 2018 and 2021).
ClubSwan 42
The ClubSwan 42 is a 13-metre boat that was presented in 2006 to be raced by mainly amateur crews. Although in very high demand to compete in the ORC format, it has been a class on its own in the Copa del Rey MAPFRE as a one design since 2017. This year seven teams from five nationalities will be racing including the winners of the last two editions and champions of the 2023 class circuit, Pedro Vaquer's Nadir.
The team from Mallorca refer to their crew as "one great family," having been sailing together for seven years, "It is our main regatta objective in the year," admitted one of the team members, Ramón Picó, "the Copa del Rey is one of the most prestigious events on the racing calendar at both a national and international level, and moreover, it is being held in our city. For many of our crew the simple fact of participating in such a prestigious event is a huge achievement. We are competing at the highest level, representing a club, a city and a country, which is a source of great pride and satisfaction. This year Nadir will be defending the podium position for the third consecutive year, which is a major challenge for the team."
The 42nd edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE counts towards The Nations League circuit of the ClubSwan 42 class.
The competition programme for both ClubSwan classes will include up to ten scoring races from Tuesday 30th July until Saturday 3rd August. It will be divided into a Preliminary Series of up to six races and a Final Series of up to four. On Monday 29th July the fleet will meet for a training race.
Hosting the Worlds in October
The ClubSwans will return to the RCNP at the end of October for the Swan One Design Worlds, an event which brings together the ClubSwan 42, ClubSwan 50 and ClubSwan 36 classes.
In the words of Michetti, the Worlds are to be held in the perfect setting, "As ClubSwan Racing, our relationship with the Real Club Náutico de Palma is really special, and it makes it the perfect setting for the Swan One Design Worlds this year (23rd to 27th October), the jewel in the crown of the One Design season".
The 42nd edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE 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 receives 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).