Exciting battles await at the 54th Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca by FERGUS Hotels
by Alexia Lahoud / 49er and Nacra 17 Sailing 31 Mar 02:06 NZDT
31 March - 5 April 2025
53 Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca by Iberostar © Sailing Energy / Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca
The highly anticipated 54th Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca by FERGUS Hotels is set to begin, bringing together rising stars, fresh team formations, and seasoned veterans in one of the most awaited post-Olympic sailing competitions.
Running from March 31st to April 5th, this historic edition sees nearly 850 boats competing—an impressive increase from the 779 that participated in the first Sofia regatta of the Paris 2024 cycle.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Bay of Palma, this event will feature all ten Olympic sailing classes, mirroring the competition seen at the Paris 2024 Olympics in Marseille and setting the stage for future Olympic hopefuls targeting Los Angeles 2028.
Fleet breakdown and national representation
The competition in the 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 classes is set to be intense, with a total of 172 boats and 344 sailors representing 32 countries.
- 49er Class: 92 crews
- 49erFX Class: 46 crews
- Nacra 17 Class: 33 crews
The largest national contingents include:
- Great Britain - 18 teams
- Germany - 17 teams
- France - 14 teams
- Australia, Spain, and New Zealand - Strong representation with experienced and young sailors entering the mix.
49er Class: new contenders step up
With the Paris 2024 gold medalists Diego Botín and Florian Trittel (Spain), silver medalists Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie (New Zealand), and bronze medalists Ian Barrows and Hans Henken (USA) all taking a well-deserved break, this regatta offers a golden opportunity for emerging talents to shine.
Ireland's Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove, who narrowly missed the Olympic podium last year, are already in full preparation mode for Los Angeles 2028 and enter the event as the only Irish crew. Meanwhile, Poland's Dominik Buksak, fresh off a fifth-place finish at Paris 2024 with Szymon Wierzbicki, begins a new chapter with Adam Glogowski as his new crew.
A particularly notable return is that of Jonas Warrer (Denmark), the 2008 Olympic Champion, who at 46 years old is proving that age is no barrier to competition. Warrer, known for his tactical brilliance, is back out of retirement and sailing with Mathias Sletten, hoping to challenge younger competitors.
Reigning world champions Erwan Fischer and Clement Pequin (France) will also be ones to watch, alongside Uruguay's Hernan Umpierre and Fernando Diz, the reigning European Champions, known for excelling in light winds.
49erFX Class: new partnerships and rising stars
The 49erFX class will see an exciting mix of established sailors and new pairings:
- Jana Germani (Italy), last year's winner, now teams up with Bianca Caruso (470 class), working on refining their teamwork.
- Australia's Laura Harding and Annie Wilmot, who finished fifth at last year's Worlds, are among the top contenders.
- Belgium's Isaura Maenhauts and Anouk Geurts, the reigning European champions, are seen as favorites to dominate.
Nacra 17: the foiling spectacle
The Nacra 17 fleet will showcase a thrilling mix of experienced and new teams.
- John Gimson and Anna Burnet (GBR), Olympic silver medalists from Tokyo 2020, return to competition after narrowly missing a medal at Paris 2024. The British duo has been sailing together since 2018, and in a more personal milestone, they got married just weeks after their Olympic campaign ended in Paris.
- Gianluigi Ugolini and Maria Giubilei (Italy), bronze medalists at the 2024 World Championship, aim to carry forward Italy's legacy in the foiling catamaran class.
- Spain introduces three teams: Tara Pacheco & Pablo García, Daniel & Nora García de la Casa, and a particularly exciting new pairing—Joan Cardona, Tokyo 2020 Finn bronze medalist, and Nicole Van der Velden, former IQfoiler and Nacra sailor. The pair recently won the San Francisco SailGP event with team Spain, proving their adaptability across different high-speed classes.
The Nacra 17 is a technically demanding foiling catamaran that made its Olympic debut in Rio 2016 as a mixed-gender multihull. Since then, it has consistently produced some of the most exciting and high-speed racing in Olympic sailing.
Race schedule and expectations
The competition kicks off on Monday, March 31, with each fleet contesting up to 15 qualifying races before the top 10 boats advance to the Medal Race on April 5.
- 49erFX Class - 11:00 AM start
- 49er & Nacra 17 Classes - 1:30 PM start
The final races on April 5 will determine the Sofía 2025 Champions, with only the top 10 boats in each class making it to the medal race.
Challenging conditions await sailors
The Bay of Palma is known for its variety of sailing conditions, offering a true test of skill and strategy. The upcoming week's forecast suggests a mix of light winds and strong breezes, along with varying sea states—from flat water to challenging waves.
For many Olympic campaigners aiming for Los Angeles 2028, this regatta marks the first real test of international competition. Some familiar faces will seek to maintain their dominance, while fresh talents look to announce themselves on the world stage. Whether a seasoned Olympian or a newcomer, every sailor must adapt quickly to the demanding environment that defines the Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca.
More information and entry list here