The Bay of Palma is ready for the Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds
by Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds 15 Sep 18:42 BST
13-22 September 2024
All set for the Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds in Palma © SailingShots by María Muiña
On Monday 16th September at 14:30h, the fleet will compete in an official training race as a final preparation before the start of the competition.
Fast, agile and highly competitive. Only seven metres long, the J/70 is possibly the most numerous One Design fleet in the world, and since it was created in 2012, has continued to grow and gain popularity. To date, almost two thousand boats have been sold in 30 countries.
The Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds will see the world title up for grabs in the Bay of Palma and gathers the one hundred best teams on the international panorama. On Monday the fleet will have the opportunity to size up their fellow competitors with the official training race.
At the helm on "Nildo," is Argentine Guillermo Parada, the current skipper of "Gladiator" in the 52 Super Series, and one of the most experienced sailors in the TP52 class. In Parada's view,
"The J/70 is a very cleverly constructed boat from the conceptual design point of view, and for that reason it has been so successful throughout the world.
It is relatively light, fast for its size, and simple. It is not excessively expensive, sensitive enough to be able to make a difference when sailing it, and likewise, is permissive enough so that sailors who are a little older, can also race and still be moderately competitive," added Parada.
For "Nildo", it will be an important test, and the team are aware that it won't be an easy task, as the Argentine skipper explained,
"In this event we come to gauge the level of such a numerous fleet. I have come directly from Porto Cervo, where we were competing with the Maxis, so I am really looking forward to racing, and particularly to remembering what it is to do so with friends, with my brother and out of love for the sport. It will be our first time with the J/70s here in Palma, so we will see how it goes."
Monday, a first contact on the bay
A total of 96 boats from 25 countries will meet from Tuesday onwards to fight for the long-awaited title offered by the Real Club Náutico de Palma and the International J/70 Association. Moreover, the competition will take place on one of the best racecourses in the world.
On Monday from 14:30h onwards, the fleet will have their first taste of their fellow competition in the training race.
Giangiacomo Serena, skipper of "G Spot" from Monaco and winner of two Copas del Rey in the ClubSwan 36 class, declared,
"There is a definitively important sailing culture here, an organization that works extremely well and a racecourse which is regularly exceptional. We will be happy if we finish in the first ten, but it is not going to be an easy task, as the level of participating teams is very high."
Parada, explained the conditions in the bay,
"They very much depend on where the racecourse will be situated. The bay can very different if the course is towards the Arenal side, in the middle of the bay or even if it is closer to the coast or further out."
Monday's activities will conclude at the RCNP with the celebration of the opening ceremony at 19:00h. The act will officially welcome close to 400 sailors to Palma to compete throughout the week for the most important title of the season. The event will be presided by Vittorio Di Mauro, president of the international class and Rafael Gil, president of the RCNP.
The Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds 2024 is organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma and the International K/70 Association, and is sponsored by Sandberg Estates, with the institutional collaboration of Palma Town Hall, the Spanish Navy, the Baleares Port Authority, the Spanish Royal Sailing Federation and the Baleares Sailing Federation.
More information at www.rcnp.es/j70worlds