Baleària Women's Cup Strengthens Its International Profile at the 44 Copa del Rey Mapfre
by Copa del Rey MAPFRE 29 Jul 15:42 BST
1-8 August 2026
Baleària Women's Cup at the Copa del Rey Mapfre © María Muiña / Copa del Rey Mapfre
The Baleària Women's Cup is once again set to be one of the highlights of the 44 Copa del Rey Mapfre. Now in its sixth edition, the women's competition continues to establish itself as a benchmark in women's sailing, attracting top-level teams and an increasingly international fleet.
The main novelty this year is its growing international reach. Alongside the Spanish teams, the fleet will include two Italian entries, Rudder Rebels and Italia Team; the British team Merche y Mor; and the Canadian Magenta Project, completing a line-up of 15 crews that will compete in the Bay of Palma.
The international response has exceeded the organisers' expectations. Interest in the Baleària Women's Cup has been so strong that several teams could not be accepted due to the event's operational capacity. With only six BluSail 24 one-design yachts available for the rotation system, increasing the number of entries would have reduced the number of races sailed by each team—something the organisers chose to avoid in order to preserve the sporting quality of the championship.
This growing demand confirms the rising profile of a competition that continues to attract new clubs and national federations year after year and aims to further expand its international participation in future editions.
One of the main sporting attractions will be the title defence by the host Baleària Team from Real Club Náutico de Palma, once again helmed by María Bover. After winning the 2025 edition, the home team starts as one of the favourites, although the level shown by the new international crews during the training sessions suggests a much more open contest.
"Defending the title is always a special motivation. We know the standard has risen again this year with the arrival of several very competitive international teams, so we'll need to perform at our very best from the very first race. Racing at home and representing Real Club Náutico de Palma is a tremendous honour," said María Bover.
Among the leading challengers is once again the Club Náutico El Balís team, led by Bárbara Cornudella, who returns determined to take the final step onto the top of the podium after finishing runner-up in both 2024 and 2025. The Catalan crew has established itself as one of the benchmark teams in the Baleària Women's Cup and will once again be one of the strongest challengers to the defending champions.
Also representing Spain will be the women's team of the Spanish Navy, competing in the Baleària Women's Cup for the second consecutive year under the leadership of skipper Esther Gómez. The crew returns to Palma aiming to consolidate its place among the leading teams in the class and to build on the progress made since its debut last year.
"Returning to the Baleària Women's Cup is a fantastic opportunity to continue growing as a team. We know the level will be extremely high and that the arrival of new international crews will make the competition even tougher, but we're excited about the challenge and eager to measure ourselves against some of the world's best female sailors," said Esther Gómez.
Pedro Marí, Sporting Director of Real Club Náutico de Palma, believes the evolution of the class validates the organisers' long-term commitment: "The Baleària Women's Cup has taken an extraordinary step forward. Every year the sporting level rises and international interest grows, demonstrating that the format works and that the Copa del Rey Mapfre has also become a benchmark event for women's sailing. This year we expect an extremely close competition, with well-prepared teams where every detail could make the difference."
The fifteen crews will compete aboard identical BluSail 24 one-design yachts supplied by the organisers, ensuring complete equality of equipment and making every race a true contest of tactics, teamwork and sailing skills.
Combining established teams, exciting new international entries and a format built around equal competition, the Baleària Women's Cup is set for one of the most competitive editions in its history. Once again, the Bay of Palma will provide the stage where some of the world's finest female sailors compete for one of the most prestigious titles in women's sailing.
From August 1st to 8th, the 44 Copa del Rey Mapfre will bring together more than one hundred yachts from nearly twenty countries, once again confirming Real Club Náutico de Palma as one of the world's leading sailing venues, with the Baleària Women's Cup firmly established as one of the regatta's key sporting and social pillars.
www.regatacopadelrey.com