The official opening of the 39th Copa del Rey MAPFRE

The famous Sala Magna in the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP) saw the official opening of the 39th Copa del Rey MAPFRE yesterday. The event, which is effectively the starting signal for what really is one of the most highly anticipated editions yet was attended by Emerico Fuster, the president of the RCNP; by Óscar Celada, the regional director of MAPFRE for the Balearic Islands; and the members of the Board of Directors of the Palma based club Alejandro López and Jorge Forteza. 
 
The 39th Copa del Rey MAPFRE, a safe space
The ongoing requirements of the COVID-19 pandemic sees the event taking necessary restrictive measures in both the social and sports arenas. “Responsibility for Health” has always been one of the priorities of the Organizing Committee which is chaired by Emerico Fuster, and so for this hopefully unique edition of the regatta the RCNP has worked long and hard to create a space on land as safe as possible for both sailors and all the staff involved in the event.
 
Manuel Fraga, RCNP’s sports director, explained this morning: “These days we are going to welcome a lot of people to our facilities and that is why we must create a safe space for everyone. Negative PCR or Antigen tests are required for all those people who are going to circulate in the area on a regular basis through the club, so that is staff and participants, media and so on. These circumstances require us to err on the side of caution and we take our responsibility seriously.”
 
The event officially begins today Saturday with the first day of registration and measurements and it will be Monday 2 August when the fleet finally takes to the race courses on the Bay of Palma.
 
The 39 Copa del Rey MAPFRE is organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP) and the Real Federación Española de Vela (RFEV), with the sponsorship of MAPFRE, the institutional support of the Balearic Islands Government, the City Hall of Palma, the Balearic Islands Port Authority and the Balearic Sailing Federation.