Italian TP52 'Vudu' Overtakes King Felipe's 'Hispaniola' as Copa del Rey MAPFRE Enters Final Stages

The Bay of Palma has transformed into a high-stakes tactical battleground as the 44th edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE enters its decisive final days. With 99 yachts from across the globe navigating the Mediterranean breeze, the prestigious Spanish regatta has delivered a tightly contested leaderboard, particularly in the marquee ORC 0 class.[2][3]

The early storyline of the week belonged to the host nation. King Felipe de Borbon of Spain, skippering the ORC 52 Hispaniola, delighted local spectators by securing a victory in the opening short-course race. The royal entry demonstrated excellent boat speed and tactical precision in the initial light-wind conditions, establishing an early overall lead.[1]

However, the momentum shifted dramatically during Wednesday's grueling 32-nautical-mile coastal race. Navigating sweltering temperatures and fickle Mediterranean thermals, Mauro Gestris's Italian TP52 Vudu executed a flawless strategic race to overtake the Spanish crew. The Italian syndicate's performance propelled them to the top of the ORC 0 standings, forcing Hispaniola to relinquish its early advantage.[1][4]

The battle for the podium remains fiercely competitive. Jeremy Weir's Wallyrocket 51 Kilara II has sailed consistently to hold third place in the ORC 0 division, keeping the pressure on the leaders. The diverse fleet, which requires valid 2026 ORC International certificates, has seen incredibly tight margins, with seconds separating the top boats on corrected time.[1][2]

Further down the ORC 0 leaderboard, teams are using the intense competition to dial in new equipment. Carl-Peter Forster's German TP52 Red Bandit currently sits in seventh place, but the standings belie the team's underlying pace. After securing a third-place finish in the opening race, the crew has been working to optimize a completely new mast and rudder configuration designed to match modern 52 Super Series standards.[1]

With the new mast, the crew is continuing to work on getting the boat back up to full speed, explained Red Bandit project manager Moriz Forster. He noted that while the new rig meets modern standards, it requires significant adjustments to suit their existing sail profiles. The team views the Copa del Rey as a crucial testing ground, relishing the opportunity to line up against top-tier competition like the King's Hispaniola.[1]

In the other divisions, clear frontrunners are beginning to emerge. Hendrik Brandis's Cape 31 Earlybird has dominated the ORC C group, leading the pack after the first three races. The Cape 31 fleet has provided some of the most aggressive one-design-style racing of the week, with Earlybird fending off sister yachts like Sönke Meier-Sawatzki's Niramo.[1]

As the regatta heads toward its Saturday conclusion, the race committee aims to complete a maximum of 10 races. With no warning signals permitted after 15:45 on August 8, the leading crews have a narrowing window to defend their positions or mount a final comeback in the Bay of Palma.[4]

Beyond the immediate glory of the Copa del Rey trophy, the regatta serves as a critical benchmark for the broader Mediterranean racing season. For the TP52 and Maxi fleets, a strong performance in the Bay of Palma often translates to momentum heading into the autumn championships. As the final horn approaches on Saturday, the tactical duel between Vudu and Hispaniola will not only decide the 2026 title but also set the competitive hierarchy for the remainder of the year.[3][6]