The Trofeo Princesa Sofía joins Hempel World Cup Series

World Sailing has announced the addition of Europe’s largest Olympic Sailing regatta to the exclusive circuit of Olympic classes Hempel World Cup Series. The 51st Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca will take place between April 1 and 9.

The first test of 2022 for teams that aspire to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be held in Mallorca, Spain. It is expected the 51st edition of Europe’s largest Olympic Sailing Classes regatta will attract over 1,500 sailors from 55 different nations competing across 10 Olympic disciplines. 

The Trofeo Princesa Sofía returns to the world league again after its last participation in 2014. This reinstatement ratifies the joint work done by three organizing clubs: Real Club Náutico de Palma, Club Marítimo San Antonio de la Playa and Club Nàutic S’Arenal. 

“Joining this new stage of the World Cup and establishing this collaborative relationship with World Sailing is another step in the path towards excellence and quality of the Trofeo Princesa Sofía. We hope that this collaborative relationship will contribute for many years to come.” -Ferran Muniesa, technical director of the Trofeo Princesa Sofía

Notice of Race already published

The joint organisers have published the Notice of Race, confirming dates, format, program and classes. The week-long event will see competition across women’s ILCA 6 (Laser), 49er FX, IQ Foil and Formula Kite. The men’s ILCA 7 (Laser Radial), 49er, IQ Foil and Formula Kite and mixed 470 and Nacra 17. 

This regatta is the starting point in the European sailing season, welcoming competitors as one of the best Olympic class regattas in the world and a key date in the Hempel World Cup Series. 

“Trofeo Princesa Sofía is one of the long-standing and largest annual regattas and forms a key part of the World Sailing event  strategy, partnering with established major regattas that support sailors to train and compete during the Olympic cycle.” -David Graham, CEO of World Sailing. 

The agreement reached between the Organizing Committees and the international sailing federation establishes that the Trofeo Princesa Sofía will be part of the world circuit for at least two Olympic cycles. This means it will be part of the Hempel World Cup series until (at least) the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. 

“We are delighted that the Trofeo Princesa Sofía regatta will return in 2022 - our first regatta since 2019 thanks to the pandemic. Our primary concern has always been the safety of the sailors and with the easing of restrictions we are hopeful that the regatta will be at full strength and once again an excellent display of sailing in a beautiful setting.” -Ferran Muniesa, Technical Director of the Trofeo Princesa Sofía. 

Three European Venues

The Hempel World Cup Series will consist of sailing competitions at three European venues in 2022: Palma de Mallorca (Trofeo Princesa Sofía, April 1-9), Amsterdam (Allianz Regatta, June 1-5) and Marseille (dates to be confirmed). 

Moreover, prior to the Trofeo Princesa Sofía, the Mallorca Sailing Center Regatta will be held from 10-13 March. This is a training regatta for registered sailors who want to test their skills on the water. Moreover, the Real Club Náutico de Palma will host the non-Olympic Class regatta from the 31st of March to the 3rd of April. This will include classes as the Dragon, J70 J80 and Musto Skiffs. 

You might find interesting: Watch the 2021 Hempel World Cup Series Allianz Regatta unfold in Medemblik, The Netherlands, on Nautical Channel. 

Besides Europe, the Hempel World Cup Series sees competitions in Enoshima, Japan as well as in Miami, USA. However, due to restrictions caused by the pandemic, events had to be canceled over the past two years. In 2022 we hope to see these events take place in a safe environment so the sport of sailing can get ready for the Olympic Games to come.