King Felipe VI steers Hispania to provisional lead in Copa del Rey regatta

The 44th Copa del Rey Mapfre sailing regatta opened on 4 August 2026 in the Bay of Palma, Mallorca. King Felipe VI took the helm of the Spanish Navy’s new TP52 yacht Hispania for the first time, leading the ABANCA ORC 0 class after the opening two races. Hispania posted a win and a second‑place, tying with Italy’s Vudu on three points, while Switzerland’s Kilara II sits third.

The opening day also featured a tribute to late Spanish sailors Manuel “Noluco” Doreste and Javier Vallejo, with a minute of applause after video presentations. The event attracted around 100 boats from roughly 20 nations. In the Uber ORC B class, Javier Banderas’s Teatro del Soho‑San Miguel led the fleet. The regatta, a long‑standing royal tradition dating back to 1905, is organized by the Comisión Naval de Regatas de la Armada and staged from the Real Club Náutico de Palma.

Alberto Barovier, tactician of Hispania, praised the king’s performance: “El Rey navegó muy bien… no hemos hecho nada extraordinario, pero sí lo justo.” The competition will continue through 8 August, with the king expected to remain on board for the next races before traveling to Colombia for a presidential inauguration.