Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofía, one of Europe´s top five regattas

The XXXII Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofía-Majórica came to an end yesterday evening with the regatta receiving one of its biggest accolades ever. The European Sailing Federation announced yesterday that the annual regatta in the bay of Palma, which always has a distinctly royal flavour, is to become one the Federation's annual classification events. The President of the Spanish Sailing federation, Gerardo Pombo, explained yesterday that the Majorcan regatta will join the classification stages in Hyeres in France, Kiel in Russia and Spa in Holland. Pombo said that the decision by the European Federation makes the Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofía, “one of the best in Europe.” Over 1'000 vessels in both Cruiser and dinghy classes from over 31 countries took part in this year's regatta which started ten days ago. Pombo said that the European Federation's decision will have “immediate consequences, the first being that even more crews will take part next year and that among those will be some of the best crews in Europe.” The President of the Balearic Sailing Federation, Francisco Villalonga, said “our city can be proud of the fact that it will host two of the most important regattas in Spain and Europe, the Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofía and the Copa del Rey.” This year both the King of Spain and the Duchess of Palma, the Infanta Cristina, raced in the Cruiser class, but because of the high winds only two stages were raced and King Juan Carlos, whose Bribon crew were favourites to win, had to be content with second place.