The Trofeo Princesa Sofía held on the Bay of Palma in Mallorca is a vast event, and this year for the first time has exceeded 1,000 boats, with more than 1,300 sailors from 67 countries taking part.
Amongst them are 92 sailors from SSL Gold Cup teams competing in a range of Olympic class dinghies. This event is a key test ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics, which makes it simply unmissable for those who are striving for a medal next year.
Looking across the classes at the SSL Gold Cup team sailors, there are eleven in the Mixed 470, twenty-six in the Men’s 49er, nine in the Women’s 49erFX, eighteen in the Men’s ILCA 7, eleven in the Women’s ILCA 6, eleven in the Mixed Nacra 17, and three in the kite and windsurf disciplines.
The highest representation for any one SSL Gold Cup team is SSL Team Austria, with an incredible eight sailors taking part in the event: Lukas Mähr, Benjamin Bildstein, David Hussl, Keanu Prettner, Jakob Flachberger, Lukas Haberl, Tanja Frank and Matthäus Zöchling.
Unsurprisingly, many of the SSL Gold Cup sailors are at, or near the top of the SSL Global Skipper Rankings, such as Tonci Stipanovic (SSL #1), Anne-Marie Rindom (SSL #3), Odile van Aanholt (SSL #4) and Emma Plasschaert (SSL #5).
After so much disruption in the past few years, getting so many of the world’s best all in one place is hugely welcome for all the national teams, so they can see how their rivals have progressed.
Follow all the action at www.trofeoprincesasofia.org
Mark has been managing sailing websites since 1996, always being at the forefront of technology, and now manages the combined Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com network. He has covered events such as the International Moth World Championship and Cowes Week, focusing on the sailors' thoughts and words. Mark has been European Champion in the Farr 30 & J/24 class and has won numerous UK titles, and competes regularly in local and national events in dinghies and sportsboats.