Sanxenxo begins to prepare for welcoming the 6-Metre fleet, due to compete for the continental trophy in the Ria de Pontevedra. The fleet, with more than 30 boats already registered, will come head-to-head at the Rey Juan Carlos I El Corte Inglés Master Regatta, a precursor to the grand event of the season.
The countdown begins for the great event of the season. After a year-long wait due to the pandemic, Sanxenxo is now preparing to welcome the 6-Metre fleet, set to compete in just under a month for the European class Championship; organized by the Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo and sponsored by Xacobeo 20-21, and which will enjoy the VI Regata Rey Juan Carlos El Corte Inglés Master as a precursor to the event.
There are currently 33 boats from eleven countries that have confirmed their participation. Teams from Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Great Britain, Finland, Portugal, Sweden, Holland, United States and Canada will fight for the continental trophy on the waters of the Ria de Pontevedra, from 13th to 18th September.
The current European and world champion in the Classics, King Juan Carlos’ Bribon 500, with Pedro Campos at the helm, will defend their title against crews such as Astrée III, third in the European Championship in La Trinité-sur-Mer in 2018; Aida de Escotet-Botas, skippered by Javier de la Gándara; and Íñigo Echenique’s Caprice, another habitual competitor in the Copa de España circuit.
In the Open category, Swiss team Nivola will be back to reconfirm their title from the last European Championship on the waters of the Ria de Pontevedra, and will be up against some mighty contenders such as Patrick Monteiro’s Portuguese Seljm, runners-up in the World Championships 2019; the winners of the last two World Championships, Philippe Durr’s Junior; and fellow Swiss team Sophie de Hugo’s Stenbeck, runners-up in the World Championship 2015, and winners of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE in 2018, among others.
Nine days of non-stop activity
With the first day reserved for measurements and the opening ceremony, the Race Committee will sound the first starting gun on Tuesday 14th September. However, the majority of teams will have previously come head-to-head at the sixth edition of the Rey Juan Carlos El Corte Inglés Master Regatta, held the weekend prior to the event.
The three-day regatta runs from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th September and will be held on the same racecourse as the European, and count towards the Copa de España – Trofeo Xacobeo class circuit.
A total of almost ten days of maximum activity in Sanxenxo, where the club has excitedly begun their preparations.