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Copa del Rey 2017
The Kings Cup – The Copa Del Rey. One of the most prestigious international yachting events in the world – is held here at Club Nautico in the islands capital. This year the regatta even surpassed the dreams and hopes of the organisers. Celebrating the 36th Copa del Rey, the largest fleet ever to have taken place within the history of the event raised their sails in Mallorca, over one hundred and thirty world class yachts and their crews competed in the ten cup winning categories. Top teams from throughout the yachting world gathered here in Palma, the very elite and the best crews of the professional circuits, made up over twenty-four different nationalities. They were all here to sail for the top awards – this was to be one of the most competitive and challenging regattas ever to be held. With HRM.King Felipe V1, as helmsman of Aifos (BMW Orc1 Class), the regatta was already achieving all the glamour and status of a Hollywood movie. Amongst the tangle of hundreds of crewmembers and support staff, celebrities from many nationalities constantly visited the port. Besides the competing crews and support technicians, over two hundred port staff worked tirelessly to help organise and smooth out the troubling logistics. It was non-stop action with yachts docking, leaving and crews changing sails, support staff jostling to make repairs and equipment being ferried backwards and forwards, then with visiting celebrities and of course the press in attendance - the whole event was like a huge film set. We have reported on the Copa Del Rey many times over the years and the attendance of King Felipe is paramount, his devotion to and participation in the actual sailing gives the event a Royal splendour that cannot be over estimated. Possibly the only sadness was the absence of His Majesty Juan Carlos, another enthusiastic sailor who alongside his son, HRM King Felipe, previously competed here in both the islands Breitling Regatta and the Copa Del Rey, with the two Royals together, it truly was a golden age.
Celebbrity Images; His Majesty King Felipe photographed by Ken & Angela Ross
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34 | Celebrity | Issue 109 Celebrity Images. Photography by Ken & Angela Ross
The attendance of His Royal Majesty King Felipe at the Copa del Rey is essential to the prestige and status of this event; luckily for Mallorca the King is both an ardent fan of sailing and also of this island. He maintains the casual air that his father King Juan Carlos established with the crews, King Felipe is highly respected amongst the international crews as an astute helmsman and yachtsman.
Friends and girlfriends join the after race party
Puro Beach - winner of the day
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Photo; Copa del Rey MAPFRE
So for these elite yachtsmen, it’s simply a case of you work hard - so you play hard. Most after-sail events are during the early evenings and are listed as ‘crew Party’, which has a long-standing rule these are the most informal - the most fun, and definitely the most relaxed.
Two of the delightful promotion girls
Apres Sail - Crews relaxing after a hard day racing
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Yacht racing is a glamorous business -and attracts the beautiful people
Yachtsmen and supporters join in the fun of one of the after-race Crew Parties, on this occasion a quayside kitchen was set up, serving paella from huge giant cooking pans.
Several bars were set up along the quay-side
All the fun of the Apres-Sail
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A huge marquee was set up in the clubs plaza creating a ‘Chill-out’ zone
One very lucky yachtsman
To complete the social scene music and entertainment was provided by several spñonsors
The race attracts some gorgeous spectators
- and - more gorgeous spectators
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One of the most attended events (and slightly more formal) is the Owners White Party (above), probably the most dazzling and certainly the smartest in the way of attire – the Club Nautico being the perfect setting for this popular evening event.
On the final evening, H.R.M. King Felipe presided over the official prize giving ceremony of the 36 Copa del Rey MAPFRE in Palma. The overall winners were: Momo (Maxi 72), Earlybird (ClubSwan 50), Elena Nova (MRW Swan 45); Mamma Aiuto! (GC32); Alegre (Mallorca Sotheby’s IRC); Pez de Abril (Swan 42), Rats on Fire (BMW ORC 1), SUM Innovation (BMW ORC 2), Grupo Ceres (BMW ORC 3) and Bribon Movistar (Herbalife J80). Photos (above)- Copa del Rey Mapfre
