From 27 July to 3 August, the Real Club Náutico de Palma will host the 42nd edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE de Vela 2024, one of the biggest cruising regattas in the Mediterranean. This competition, which since 1982 has become a top event on the world calendar, has this year exceeded its ceiling of entries with a total of 122 boats – and around 2,000 sailors – divided between its participating classes: ORC, ClubSwan 50 and 42, J/70 and Blusail 24 Women’s Cup. As could not be otherwise, Felipe VI will once again take part at the helm of Aifos.

The 42nd edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE de Vela will bring together 122 boats. Photo: Nico Martínez/COPA DEL REY MAPFRE.

On Saturday 27 July, the traditional ribbon cutting of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE by the authorities and sponsors will take place, an act that will be the ‘starting signal’ for this 42nd edition. The following day, Sunday 28 July, will be dedicated to the final registration of the participating crews, as well as the final registers and sail and rating measurements. And on the day before the competition, Monday 29th July, the training sessions will be held on the race course in the Bay of Palma, followed by five days of thrilling competition.

Competition schedule

The ORC and ClubSwan classes will race from Tuesday to Saturday, while the J70 and Women’s Cup will race from Wednesday to Saturday. There will be windward-leeward races and a coastal race for the ORC division. The competition will be divided into a Preliminary Series (six races from July 30th to August 1st) and a Final Series. The Preliminary Series may be extended until 2 August if at least four races are not completed. The total score will include all accumulated points, with a discard if four or more races are completed. The tests in the Final Phase will have a coefficient of 1.5 and will not be discardable. The main novelty is that the score for the Final Series will be the total score of the Preliminary Series, with one discard.

Social events

In addition, three other social events will be held, such as the shipowners’ dinner at the Castillo Hotel Son Vida on Tuesday 30th July; the white cocktail party by MAPFRE on the terraces of the club on Thursday 1st August; and finally, on Saturday 3rd August, the prize-giving ceremony, presided over by King Felipe, at Ses Voltes at the foot of Palma Cathedral.

For more information and results, see the official website https://www.regatacopadelrey.com/home