The Herbalife J/70 class joins the One Designs in the Copa del Rey MAPFRE

The J/70s will once again be lining the docks at the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP) during the Copa del Rey MAPFRE. 2023 is their third consecutive year since the class made its debut in 2021, once again backed by Herbalife, as sponsors of the class. Measuring seven metres in length, the J/70 is quite possibly the most numerous One Design category in the world and has continued to attract teams since it arrived in Spain in 2015 due to its speed, agility, and stability. Amongst the nine teams registered this year, the current world champions Mon Cañellas' Hang Ten will naturally be competing alongside the fourth placed category in the last world championships, Luis Albert's Patakín.

Manu Fraga, Director of the RCNP, explained the importance of the Herbalife J70 class in the Copa del Rey MAPFRE:

"Including the J/70s in the event is to vouch for a class which we believe is one of the very best in terms of the level and number of teams both in Europe and worldwide. In Spain the class continues to grow, there are increasingly more teams and owners at an extremely high level. I feel that it is a very sound accompaniment to the J/80 class, which we have dedicated to the Women's Cup. To have them in the Copa del Rey is to look to the future."

On behalf of the J/70 class Ricardo Terrades showed his thanks for the effort and support given by the Mallorcan Yacht Club,

"It is fabulous news that the RCNP has once again invited the J/70s, an extremely popular One Design class worldwide. In Spain we have two solid fleets: one in Barcelona and another in Vigo, that was pioneering in Spain. In Mallorca there is a fleet beginning to grow, motivated by the fact that Palma will be the home to the World Championships in the class next year."

Preview World Championships 2024

The RCNP will be host to the J/70 World Championship from 14th to 21st September 2024.

According to Fraga, "Including the class within the Copa del Rey MAPFRE is a way to become more familiar with its particular characteristics so we can ensure we are ready to host the international fleet."

The J/70 World Championships 2022 were celebrated in Monaco, with 90 teams from 23 nationalities. The World Championships in 2023, are to be held from 30th October to 5th November at St. Petersburg Yacht Club in Florida, United States of America and there are already 95 teams preregistered.

"Everybody wants to sail on the Bay of Palma, and the fact that the Worlds will be held here is excellent news," added Terrades. "Every race held in Palma is positive for the teams as a preparation for the World Championships, and being in this edition of the Copa del Rey is an excellent opportunity to continue to clock up hours of racing experience on a magnificent racecourse."

The Herbalife J70 class programme for the 41st Copa del Rey MAPFRE includes a total of six races in the Previous Series (1st and 2nd August) and eight races in the Final Series (3rd to 5th August).

The 41st Copa del Rey MAPFRE is organised by the Real Club Náutico de Palma and the Real Federación Española de Vela (lit. Spanish Royal Sailing Federation), and sponsored by MAPFRE, with the institutional collaboration of the Govern de les Illes Balears (Balearic Islands government), the Ayuntamiento de Palma (Palma Town Hall), the Autoritat Portuaria de Balears (Balearic Islands Port Authority) and the Federación Balear de Vela (Balearic Islands Sailing Federation).