The 43rd edition of the Mallorcan sailing regatta is the first European stop of the ISAF Sailing World Cup for Olympic and Paralympic classes. It is the only Spanish event included in the ISAF Sailing World Cup.
The Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofia – MAPFRE is the starting point of the European sailing season every year. The ten Olympic sailing events are joined by the Dragon fleet as invited class. The Dragon was the first class to participate in the most important and international sailing event held in Spain.
Born in honour of the princess of Spain at the time, HM Queen Sofia at present, the first edition was held in 1968. During the first years it was an event reserved for the Dragon class in which Prince Don Juan Carlos participated and was the winner of the 1973 edition. Thanks to the support of the Royal Family, the competition soon began to grow and in 1974 new classes were included by express wish of HM Queen Sofia. Over the past years the event has been placed among the best Olympic classes events of the world and is part of the ISAF Sailing World Cup. The organization, both ashore and at sea, and the welcoming attitude of the 500-plus regatta team and the people of Majorca, make of this event a very special competition for all those competitors that, year after year, visit the island, as well as for the around 150 accredited journalists.
The Majorcan event gathers together every year around one thousand boats and 1,500 competitors, with the top ten of each class, World, European and Olympic champions among them. It is a very competitive regatta at international level and many nations, with Spain among them, select the regatta as trial event for their Olympic teams.
As the third regatta of the ISAF Sailing World Cup, the Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofia – MAPFRE will already begin to see the favourite teams to achieve the final victory of this exciting, innovating world sailing circuit. Winning the regatta is also very appealing: around one thousand teams fight every year to engrave their name on the absolute trophy that is awarded to the best sailor of all classes during the majestic prizegiving ceremony normally presided over the King and Queen of Spain.
Every spring, over a thousand sailors from 53 countries come to Mallorca to participate in a unique event where the best crews of Olympic sailing compete in the hope of victory and receive from H.R.H.Queen Sofia, the trophy that bears her name. A legendary trophy on which are inscribed the winners of the 42 editions held to date.
The “Sofía MAPFRE” Trophy, also popularly known as the TROFEO SOFIA MAPFRE ISAF SWC MALLORCA, has become over the years a tradition that is part of social and sporting calendar of Mallorca, that feels it as their own and inalienable. A fact that was reinforced with the participation of members of the Royal Family is a fact of their bond with the race.
It is a unique race, almost magical. The Bay of Palma perfect conditions for sailing, together with the warm welcome of the inhabitants of Mallorca, make a competition especially appreciated by those who have ever participated. A race that nobody wants to miss and we all dream to win some day. “The sailors’ event”.
21° C Bay of Palma, Balearic Islands