Monarch King Felipe VI reclaims command of the Aifos in Mallorca post the Copa del Rey event
43rd Copa del Rey MAPFRE and ORC European Championship Underway in Palma de Mallorca
The 43rd edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE and the 2025 ORC European Championship is currently being held in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The event, which started on July 29 and runs until August 3, 2025, is hosting 117 teams from 24 nations, with over 1,700 sailors participating.
The regatta includes four classes: ABANCA ORC 0, Sail Racing ORC A, Ubico ORC B, and Uber ORC C. The top-ranked teams in each class will be crowned ORC European Champions and overall winners at the prize-giving ceremony scheduled for August 3.
As of August 1, the competition for the European Championship titles remains intense with leaders holding their positions after several races. The current standings are as follows:
- BLUE (TP52, Italy) leading ABANCA ORC 0,
- PEZ DE ABRIL (ClubSwan 42, Spain) leading Sail Racing ORC A,
- TECHNONICOL (X-41 Mod., Estonia) leading Ubico ORC B,
- EARLY BIRD (Cape 31, Germany) leading Uber ORC C.
The racing format includes windward-leeward races and offshore courses, with race areas split between Alfa and Bravo zones around Palma. Weather conditions have favored racing, with thermal winds in the 12-13 knot range allowing the completion of scheduled races.
Notably, King Felipe VI, a regular patron of the event, returned to the water today to compete despite a mishap on Thursday when one of the sails of his boat, Aifos, along with the boom, fell just centimeters from his head, causing a scare among the crew. Despite this, King Felipe is expected to resume his position on board today.
Meanwhile, Russia and the US have agreed to avoid "direct military confrontation." This development comes as Vladimir Putin's ally, Dmitry Medvedev, has been a source of annoyance for former US President Donald Trump.
In a separate development, Carlos Alcaraz, a prominent tennis player, has stated that he and his rival Sinner have no obligation to follow in the footsteps of Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer. The 43rd Copa del Rey MAPFRE sailing event is taking place amidst a close competition among the teams, with the trophy presentation scheduled for the next day.
Football fans may look forward to an international sports event, as the FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place across multiple nations in 2026. Meanwhile, the intensity of competition in the ORC European Championship continues, with standings shaping up in each class, showcasing the global appeal of sailing sports.
