April 14, 2003
1 minute reading time
Racing Starts Today
Following registration and measurement, which was completed yesterday, the 658 boats, and over 1000 athletes representing 40 countries awoke today for the first day of racing in Palma, at one of the largest ISAF graded events in the World.
Following registration and measurement, which was completed yesterday, the 658 boats, and over 1000 athletes representing 40 countries awoke today for the first day of racing in Palma, at one of the largest ISAF graded events in the World.
The Princess Sophia Trophy is regarded as a fantastic test of Olympic sailing prowess and as a grade 2 and 3 event, (note: Star Class is not grade 1 as advertised) provides a good opportunity to increase or consolidate positions on the ISAF World Sailing Rankings, the all important guide to which nations will qualify extra places for the ISAF World Sailing Championships in Cadiz in September.
The importance and regard that the event is held in is highlighted both by the level of entry criteria, which is based on individual ranking positions on December 1 2002, and the number of entries in the Olympic Classes below:
Total Number of Entries (Olympic Classes)
| Class | No. Of Entries | Countries Represented |
| 470 Men | 66 | 22 |
| 470 Women | 37 | 19 |
| 49er | 59 | 22 |
| Europe | 120 | 27 |
| Finn | 62 | 25 |
| Laser | 80 | 21 |
| Mistral Men | 89 | 24 |
| Mistral Women | 40 | 16 |
| Star | 24 | 13 |
| Tornado | 54 | 19 |
| Yngling | 27 | 15 |
| Total Entries | 658 | 40 |
In the Europe, Mistral, Laser, 49er and 470 men, the fleets will be divided into groups that will race a qualifying series over the first three days of the regatta, followed by a final series on the last two days. All other classes will sail fleet races over the full five day period of the regatta.
Many past Olympic Champions and hopefuls for the future are present at the three venues around Palma for the 34 Princess Sophia Trophy and expectation for a fantastic regatta is very high.