While King Felipe and Queen Letizia prepare for their visit to Egypt, another royal duo is heading to the opposite end of the world. Juan Carlos I, together with his daughter, Infanta Elena, is traveling to New York to once again share their passion for sailing. Father and daughter will take part in the World Championship in the 6 Metre class, which begins on September 22 at the prestigious Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club in Oyster Bay.
The preparation for this landmark competition, where he is set to defend his 2023 champion title won on the Isle of Wight, was preceded by the honorary monarch’s stay in Sanxenxo. Last weekend, he participated in the tenth regatta named after him. However, the visit to Spain was not limited to sports. The former head of state was able to enjoy time with his family and close friends. Infanta Elena, his niece Simoneta Gómez-Acebo, and granddaughter Irene Urdangarin came to visit him in the Galician city. For the first time, the daughter of Infanta Cristina accompanied her grandfather to Rías Baixas. As tradition dictates, the monarch’s farewell included a dinner aboard the vessel, where about thirty guests were treated to mussels, sardines, percebes, and jamón.
The official races of the World Championship will take place from September 22 to 26, but the honorary king and his daughter will arrive in the US ahead of time. They plan to immerse themselves in the vibrant social life of one of the world’s oldest and most exclusive yacht clubs. Seawanhaka Corinthian was founded in September 1871, and over the years, its members have included such notable figures as multimillionaire Cornelius Vanderbilt.
Approximately 30 crews from Spain, Canada, Switzerland, and the British Virgin Islands will compete for seventeen prestigious historic trophies. The main goal of the honorary king’s team is to once again take first place in their category. Organisers of the competition openly consider him the main favourite. The news section of the championship notes that ‘His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain, defending his title aboard ESP16 “Bribón”, is undoubtedly the one to beat.’ It also specifies that King Felipe’s father became the owner of this yacht, designed in 1947, in 2017. That same year, he won his first world championship in Vancouver, followed by victories in Hanko in 2019 and in Cowes in 2023. One of his main rivals will be compatriot Mauricio Sánchez-Bella on the yacht ‘Titia.’ They recently competed in Sanxenxo, though on different boats, since their primary vessels were already crossing the Atlantic at that time.
