Former King of Spain Juan Carlos I will arrive in Galicia on Wednesday evening to lead the Bribón crew at another stage of the Spanish 6 Metre Class League. Information from Vanitatis, his visit will last longer than usual: the heat in Abu Dhabi has prompted the former monarch to stay in Europe and spend most of the summer away from the Emirates.
Sanxenxo is both a sporting venue and a place for Juan Carlos to relax, where he combines regatta training with time spent with friends and family. The Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo hosts local races in the Ría de Pontevedra as part of a season-long national circuit for 6 Metre and J/80 fleets. During this visit, Juan Carlos plans to compete in national events and prepare for the season’s basic event, the 6 Metre European Championship, which begins July 13 on Lake Geneva. The Bribón crew has trained in Galicia for several months to perform well in Switzerland.
In recent years, Juan Carlos I has regularly returned to Spain for regattas, despite controversy over his age and health. Last year, he won the World Championship in New York, strengthening his standing in sailing. Vanitatis sources say he never misses a chance to take to the water, and his presence draws attention from participants and guests at the competitions. The Bribón faces established crews including Alibaba II and Titia; Juan Carlos is described as the team’s leader or patron, while Jane Abascal has taken the helm in races.
Juan Carlos plans to stay in Europe for several weeks. After the stage in Sanxenxo, he will head to Geneva to compete and take part in traditional meetings, dinners and excursions for yachtsmen. As in New York, where he took an active part in club activities, his program off the water in Switzerland is packed. This is 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 Pedro Campos’s home in Galicia. In July, the Bribón won its fifth European championship on Lake Geneva; the team has also been credited with four world titles in the 6 Metre class.
Later in the season, Juan Carlos returned to Sanxenxo for the Trofeo Xacobeo, held on October 17 and 18 as the sixth and penultimate series of the 2026 league. The Bribón entered the regatta as league leader, finished second on the opening day, then came back to win the overall trophy. During the event, Juan Carlos followed the racing from the auxiliary boat Cristina rather than sailing every race himself. La Opinión de A Coruña reported that his granddaughter Irene Urdangarin accompanied him; Jane Abascal was at the helm of the Bribón. Alibaba II, led by Miguel Lago, and Titia, associated with Mauricio Sánchez-Bella, were among the competing boats.
Sanxenxo has become a regular base for Juan Carlos’s sailing and social visits, tied to his friendship with Pedro Campos and the local sailing community. He arrived in Vigo from Cascais on October 15 before the regatta, according to coverage of the visit. The circuit draws public attention whenever the former monarch is there, whether he is on the racecourse or watching from the water.
As Juan Carlos prepares for new races, other impressive events continue in Spanish sports. Arsenal, under Arteta’s leadership, went unbeaten in 14 Champions League matches, a historic achievement. Details are available in our report.
Juan Carlos I has lived in Abu Dhabi since 2020 but regularly returns to Spain for sailing competitions. His visits always go through Vigo airport, and his basic training base is the Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo. Summer temperatures in the Emirates often exceed +40°C, making conditions extremely uncomfortable for elderly people. Europe’s climate, especially in Galicia and Switzerland, is milder, allowing the king to combine sport and leisure. The 6 Metre European Championship is considered one of yachting’s most prestigious events, and the Bribón team, led by Juan Carlos, traditionally attracts attention from Spanish and international fans.
