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| Mallorca, the Host of Grand Regattas
Each summer Mallorca plays host to the crème de la crème of the yachting world in two classic regattas: the Copa del Rey and the Breitling Cup. Year after year these races serve to strengthen Mallorcas position on the Mediterranean yachting calendar and transform the Bay of Palma into a sea of sails.
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| Text: Rick Blaine, Photo: Nico Martínez |
| If there is such a thing as a nautical meeting point in the Mediterranean during the summer months, Mallorca has that honour, attracting the worlds top yachtsmen and women year after year. In July this year the chic port of Puerto Portals hosted the 11th edition of the Breitling regatta. The regatta saw 30 yachts in the IMS and the new TP52 classes compete in real time and without ratings.
During the week of the regatta, the quays of Portals became a hive of activity, filled with sailing crews, the media, guests and sponsors. The atmosphere, for any yachting enthusiast, was unparalleled. King Juan Carlos and Crown Prince Felipe, both first-class yachtsmen, take part in the regatta every year, kicking off their annual summer holidays on the island with this competition.
A few days later, the epicentre of this nautical activity moved to Palmas Real Club Nautico for the Copa del Rey, which this year was sponsored by Audi and Camper. Over 100 yachts from 13 different countries competed in six different classes for the coveted trophy. For several days the Bay of Palma was the backdrop to this spectacular scene as these great yachts cut through the waters of the bay. Every year the King of Spain, Crown prince Felipe and the princesses Elena and Cristina join their different crews to take part in the races.
As well as being an important sporting event, the regatta is a social occasion which coincides with the Spanish Royal Familys annual visit to the island and includes a host of exciting and varied events.
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