The ClubSwan 42 class will gather nine boats in the bay of Palma, with the 'Pez de Abril' as the reigning world champion and the 'Nadir' from the Andratx Sailing Club as one of its main rivals.
The 44th edition of the Copa del Rey Mapfre will feature one of the most competitive classes in its history: the ClubSwan 42s. Nine units will compete in the bay of Palma from the first weekend of August, with the 'Pez de Abril' as the favourite after being crowned world champion this season and winning last year's Mallorca regatta.
The boat helmed by José María Meseguer, from the Club Náutico Villa de San Pedro, arrives on the island as the title defender. Its highly experienced crew knows the boat and the conditions of the bay of Palma in detail. "We arrive with great enthusiasm and the team is in a fantastic moment," declared Meseguer. "The good results this season have given us a lot of confidence."
However, the path to victory will not be easy. The 'Nadir', from the Andratx Sailing Club, helmed by Pedro Vaquer, is shaping up to be one of the strongest rivals. This Mallorca-based team, accustomed to major international competitions, aims to leverage its local knowledge to reach the top of the podium. "It is one of the most solid teams in the international scene," sources from the Real Club Náutico de Palma highlight.
Another notable contender is the French 'Glen Ellen', helmed by Jean-Pierre Noël, a highly competitive crew in the European circuit that aims to break the Spanish dominance in the category. The equality among the boats, all one-design, means that differences are measured in meters and that tactics and crew coordination are decisive.
Manu Fraga, general director of the Real Club Náutico de Palma, has emphasised the level of the class: "The ClubSwan 42s represent one of the most emblematic classes of the Copa del Rey Mapfre. We are talking about a very established fleet, with teams that have been competing together for years and an extraordinary sports level."
The ClubSwan 42 class will share the spotlight with the Balearia Women's Cup, both one-design, in an edition that reaffirms the club's commitment to high-level sailing. For Mallorcan fans, the opportunity to see the 'Nadir' and the rest of the fleet in action is an unmissable event on the summer sports calendar.
The races will take place in the bay of Palma, with visible starts from the promenade. Interested parties can follow the competition through the official channels of the Real Club Náutico de Palma.
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