Juan Carlos I Returns to Spain for Regatta and Will Stay for the Summer. Former King of Spain Juan Carlos I is arriving in Galicia to take part in a regatta. He will not return to Abu Dhabi for the next few weeks, instead spending the summer in Europe. The reasons are preparation for the European Championship and the climate.
Former King of Spain Juan Carlos I is returning to the country: on Wednesday evening he will arrive in Galicia to lead the Bribón crew at another stage of the Spanish 6 Metre Class League. According to Vanitatis, this time his visit will be longer than usual — the heat in Abu Dhabi has forced the former monarch to stay in Europe and spend most of the summer away from the Emirates.
Sanxenxo has become not only a sporting arena but also a place of relaxation for Juan Carlos: here he combines training for regattas with time spent with friends and family. During this visit, the exiled king intends not only to take part in national competitions but also to prepare for the key event of the season — the 6 Metre European Championship, which begins July 13 on Lake Geneva. The Bribón crew has been training in Galicia for several months to perform well in Switzerland.
In recent years, Juan Carlos I has been returning to Spain regularly for regattas, despite controversy over his age and health. Last year, he won the World Championship in New York, strengthening his position in the world of sailing. As Vanitatis sources note, the king never misses an opportunity to take to the water, and his presence always draws attention among participants and guests of the competitions.
This time, Juan Carlos plans to stay in Europe for several weeks: after the stage in Sanxenxo, he will head to Geneva, where he will not only compete but also take part in traditional meetings, dinners, and excursions for yachtsmen. As in New York, where he actively participated in club activities, he faces a packed program off the water in Switzerland. This is already the king’s third trip to Spain this year: in April, he was able to fly in for the first time after restrictions related to the conflict in Iran and again chose to stay at the hospitable home of Pedro Campos in Galicia.
While Juan Carlos prepares for new races, other notable events continue in Spanish sports: for example, the football club Arsenal, under Arteta’s leadership, went 14 Champions League matches unbeaten—a historic achievement— details about this success can be found in our report.
For reference: Juan Carlos I has been living in Abu Dhabi since 2020, but regularly returns to Spain for sailing competitions. His visits always go through Vigo airport, and his main training base is the Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo. Summer temperatures in the Emirates often exceed +40°C, making it extremely uncomfortable for elderly people. In Europe, especially in Galicia and Switzerland, the climate is milder, allowing the king to combine sports and leisure. The 6 Metre European Championship is considered one of the most prestigious events in yachting, and the Bribón team led by Juan Carlos traditionally attracts the attention of both Spanish and international fans.
