The Real Club Náutico de Palma will host the first big sailing event of the Mediterranean season from 3-7 May. One hundred boats from 17 countries have already registered for an event comprising 13 classes, including six monotypes and the European debut of the awaited ClubSwan 50.
The big boats reaffirm their interest for Sail Racing PalmaVela, the gunshot for the Mediterranean international calendar hosted in Palma de Mallorca (Spain) from 3-7 May. With six weeks to go, 100 boats from 17 countries have already registered for this multiclass event organised by the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP).
According to Vivi Mainemare, sports coordinator of the RCNP: “This event is well established due to several factors that combine well and due to its success it has become an event to not miss, after only 14 years of existence. The Real Club Náutico de Palma has proven a good organization experience on land and on the water. The competitors are very demanding, therefore having them returning to the RCNP and the Bay of Palma year after year, is an important sign for us and makes us very proud. Not to forget that Palma is one of the cities where everybody wants to be and, of course, the beautiful weather and sailing conditions help us to understand why PalmaVela is one of the dearest events in the Med.”
But Sail Racing PalmaVela is not only for big boats. As the PRO, Gaspar Morey explains: “It is a multiclass event, probably the most open event in the national racing calendar. There are not many regattas with the spirit PalmaVela offers, where you can sail next to Maxi yachts down to very small adapted dinghy boats for the disabled sailors and of course the rest of the participating classes, just as important: classic yachts, ORC and IRC cruisers, one designs, etc.”
The Sail Racing PalmaVela 2017 fleet will be distributed into 13 different classes: Six One Design classes racing in real time (ClubSwan 50, Swan 45, ClubSwan 42, J80, Dragón and Flying Fifteen) and seven racing under rating rules (Wally, IMA/Maxi, Maxi 72, ORC, IRC, Classic and Disabled.)
PalmaVela has always supported real time competition. This year the prestigious Swans sum up to this One Design family with the Swan 45, ClubSwan 42 and the European debut of ClubSwan 50. “We are happy with the relationship that has been growing with this boatyard (Nautor’s Swan) and its managers. There has always been a large number of very good yacht owners of this boatyard who come to our events”, says Javier Sanz, President of the RCNP. Not to forget that “the largest fleet of Sail Racing PalmaVela is the ORC, who have up to four different divisions due to the difference of boat lengths and characteristics. These cruising boats keep the sailing essence alive by enhancing passion and by forming sailors for the future. We have also brought together the cruiser regatta of the Princess Sofia Trophy to the Olympic classes to have two great sailing weeks in less than a month, the Princess Sofia Trophy and the Sail Racing PalmaVela, hoping in this way to attract boats from mainland to compete against the local fleet.”
The competition programme starts on May 4 (Thursday) with the first races for Maxi 72, Wally, IRC, and the Swans. Both Classic, ORC, J80, FF and Dragon come into action on Friday, and the Disabled join on Saturday to race for their Copa de España. The final prize giving will be held on Sunday, May 7.
Sail Racing PalmaVela is organised by the Real Club Náutico de Palma and the Real Federacion Española de Vela, and sponsored by Sail Racing.
