The armada prepares

Palma's Real Club Nautico was buzzing with activity yesterday as the crews competing in this year's Copa del Rey - Aguabrava regatta started getting ready for the first leg tomorrow afternoon. The Duchess of Palma, the Infanta Cristina, was down at the club on Friday evening, she will be at the helm of Azur de Puig and yesterday King Juan Carlos who on board Bribon has won the regatta on five previous occasions, met up with his crew at the yacht club. The King, who had to nip back to Madrid on Friday for talks with the Egyptian president, appeared relaxed and in no rush, he mingled with fellow racers and stopped to talk with a number of spectators and club members, especially their timid children. As always, Bribon can never be discounted as a potential winner, but last year's winners Telepizza-Pepsi and Mascalzone latino will be out to defend their illustrious titles over the next week.