Race in Spain: King Philip VI displays unexpected fear during competition, footage reveals
In the heart of Palma de Mallorca, Spain, King Felipe VI continued his annual tradition of participating in the prestigious Copa del Rey MAPFRE regatta. Sailing aboard the Spanish Navy's TP52 yacht named Aifos, the monarch has consistently defended titles in this event, including victories in 2024 and 2025 [1][3][4].
The days leading up to the 2025 edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE were no exception, with King Felipe VI and his crew training intensely in Palma Bay in the days prior to the races [1][2][3].
However, just minutes before the regatta start, an incident occurred that disrupted the preparations. A heavy sail fell during the final stages of boat preparation, coming dangerously close to King Felipe VI's head. Despite the close call, the King remained calm and continued to compete in the regatta [2].
It is worth noting that King Felipe VI has been sailing since the age of 16 and has a well-documented history of participating in prestigious regattas [1]. This incident did not deter him from his passion for sailing, as he has demonstrated through his consistent annual participation in the Copa del Rey MAPFRE regatta [1][2][3][4].
[1] https://www.copadelrey.com/en/ [2] https://www.marca.com/deportes/vela/2025/06/01/5f000e852260104c058b45d3.html [3] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-royal-sailing-idUSKBN25G22L [4] https://www.espn.com/es/nautica/noticias/story/_/id/33808204/felipe-vi-gana-cuarta-copa-del-rey-mapfre-en-aifos
Despite his extensive sailing experience and passion for prestigious regattas, an accident occurred during the final stages of King Felipe VI's boat preparation for the Copa del Rey MAPFRE regatta. Just minutes before the regatta start, a heavy sail fell dangerously close to the King's head, but he remained calm and continued to compete, demonstrating his resilience in the world of sports, particularly hockey and other water sports.
