Olympians Prepare

Once again, the Palma De Mallorca will welcome many Olympic medallists. Among them is Norwegian sailor Siren SUNDBY, gold medallist in the Single-Handed Dinghy Women at the 2004 Athens Olympics. After taking victory in Athens in the Europe SUNDBY has switched to the 470 women class where she aims to compete in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. This is the first ranked event that SUNDBY has entered in the 470 and will give a strong indication of how well she has managed to transfer her skills from the single-handed boats. In Spain she will be sailing with fellow Norwegian, Karianne UNDRUM.

In the 49er fleet, Chris DRAPER and Simon HISCOCKS (GBR) and Christoffer SUNDBY and Frode BOVIM (NOR) represent more Olympic talent. DRAPER and HISCOCKS took the bronze medal in Athens with the Norwegian pair narrowly behind in fourth place. The 2004 Athens gold medallists, Spanish team Iker MARTÍNEZ and Xabi FERNÁNDEZ, will not be able to attend the regatta due to their involvement with the Telefónica project at the Volvo Ocean Race. On the contrary, Spanish sailor Rafa TRUJILLO, silver medallist in the Finn in Athens 2004 and number one on the ISAF World Sailing Rankings, has confirmed attendance.

Around 350 boats have registered for the 36th edition of the Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia-Madrid 2012 for dinghy sailing, with a month to go to the entry deadline. The entries are going at good pace in all classes, including the new Olympic discipline, the Laser Radial women.

Up to this moment, the largest fleet is the Dragon class, the first class to compete at the Princesa Sofia, followed by the Europe men, the Laser, the 49er, the 470 men, the Tornado and the Finn classes. Despite being a new Olympic discipline, a surprising number of entries has also been received in the Laser Radial women.

The 36th edition of the Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia for dinghy sailing will be held from 19 to 25 March 2005.