The vessel of the Málaga shipowner triumphed in the bay of Palma, adding its ninth title in 30 participations. The Hispania, without King Felipe, was the runner-up.
The Teatro del Soho San Miguel, helmed by Javier Banderas, claimed the 44th Copa del Rey Mapfre in the bay of Palma this Saturday. The new XR-41 only needed a third place in the final race to secure a victory that the Málaga shipowner celebrates as the most special of his career: it is his ninth Copa del Rey in 30 participations.
The final day, held with light winds, also saw a prestigious runner-up position for the Hispania of King Felipe, which competed again without its royal helmsman. The Spanish boat recorded a partial victory in the decisive race of the Abanca ORC 0 class, allowing it to climb two positions and finish the championship in second place behind the Italian Vudu.
In the Uber ORC B class, the most numerous and international, Banderas' team arrived with a lead of 14.5 points over their pursuers. The victory coincided with the 42nd anniversary of the first Olympic gold medal of Luis Doreste, tactician of the boat, achieved alongside Roberto Molina in Los Angeles 1984.
“Of all the Copa del Rey titles I have, without a doubt this is the one that excites me the most,” Banderas confessed upon returning to the Real Club Náutico de Palma. The shipowner dedicated the success to three deceased individuals: Llopis, Javier Vallejo ‘Mazinger’, and Noluco Doreste, brother of the tactician, who passed away just days before the start of the regatta.
The Sail Racing ORC A class experienced a thrilling duel between the two Carkeek 40s, the Swedish Rán and the Estonian Nola, who arrived separated by a point. Ultimately, Taavel Hinrikus' Nola triumphed in the final leg and took the title, while Niklas Zennström's Rán, the current world champion, had to settle for second place.
In the one-design ClubSwan 42 class, the Nadir was crowned champion, and in the women's Baleària Women’s Cup, the Baleària Team RCNP took the victory. The Italian Vudu, helmed by Mauro Gestri, dominated the Abanca ORC 0 class from start to finish, while the German Niramo did the same in Azulmarino ORC C.
The regatta, organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma, brought together over a hundred vessels in the bay's waters for a week. With the championship concluded, the next event in the circuit will be the 2027 season, which will kick off next May.
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