King Felipe VI skippered Hispania to second place in the Abanca ORC 0 class as the 44th MAPFRE King's Cup regatta concluded in Palma Bay. The Spanish monarch secured the runner-up spot after winning the final race of the competition.
The result marks the third time King Felipe VI has reached the podium at the event. Italian vessel Vudu, skippered by Mauro Gestri, won the Abanca ORC 0 class with 14 points after maintaining the lead from the second day of racing. Hispania took second place with 29.5 points, finishing just ahead of Swiss boat Kilara II, skippered by Jamie Scott-Hopkins, which scored 30.5 points. Brazilian entry Caballo Loco placed fourth with 31.5 points, and Spanish boat Vithas Urbania came fifth with 34 points.
In the Sail Racing ORC A division, Estonian boat Nola, skippered by Margus Uudam, won first place with 12.5 points following an intense battle. Swedish yacht Ran, skippered by Niklas Zennstrom, finished second with 14.5 points. Another Swedish crew, Garm, skippered by Pep Román, completed the podium in third place with 39 points. French boat Confluence finished fourth with 42.5 points, and German entry Elena Nova took fifth with 45 points.
Uber ORC B and Azulmarino ORC C divisions
The first Spanish victory of the regatta came in the Uber ORC B class through Teatro Soho San Miguel, skippered by Javier Banderas. Banderas won the trophy for the ninth time after dominating the fleet all week at the Real Club Náutico de Palma, finishing with 15.5 points. Argentine vessel Katara, skippered by Julián Somodi, staged a late comeback to finish second with 36.5 points. Uruguayan boat L'Immens, skippered by Nicolás González, dropped to third place with 45 points, while Spanish entry Beso Beach finished fourth with 46.5 points.
German crews filled the top two positions in the Azulmarino ORC C class. Niramo, skippered by Sönke Meier, claimed victory with 19.75 points. Early Bird, skippered by Hendrik Brandis, let the title slip away after finishing fourth in the final race, taking second place overall with 21.5 points. Spanish entry Project Work, skippered by Antonio Porres, finished third with 22 points.
ClubSwan 42 and Balearia Women's Cup
Spanish yacht Nadir, skippered by Pedro Vaquer, reaffirmed its victory in the ClubSwan 42 class with 14 points. The boat's lowest finish during the entire week was a third place recorded on the penultimate day. Italian vessel Selene Alifax, skippered by Massimo de Campo, finished second with 25 points. Spanish entry Pez de Abril, skippered by José María Meseguer, placed third with 29 points.
The Balearia Women's Cup ended with Balearia Team, led by María Bover, winning the title with 26 points. Spanish entry SolGreen-Les Roches, skippered by Elena de Tomás, finished second with 58 points. Pulperas Team, skippered by Sara Momplet Baixauli, took third place with 63 points.
The awards ceremony takes place tonight at the Almudaina Palace and will be presided over by King Felipe VI.
