Palma de Mallorca delivers perfect conditions as the Olympic sailing scene resets post-Paris 2024
Mallorca’s iconic Trofeo Princesa Sofía by FERGUS Hotels officially opened the new Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle with five days of top-tier competition. The regatta started and concluded under postcard-perfect skies, delivering steady thermal breezes and ideal race conditions on the Bay of Palma.
For Team Great Britain, it was a powerful statement of renewal. After a modest showing at the Paris 2024 Games—earning just one gold and one bronze—British sailors rebounded impressively, clinching five gold medals across ten Olympic classes, more than any other nation.
British Highlights: Five Titles and a Fresh Start
Among the British standouts was Emma Wilson, who finally converted her week-long dominance in the iQFOiL Women’s windsurfing into a well-earned gold medal. Meanwhile, Micky Beckett secured his fourth consecutive ILCA 7 title in Palma, further cementing his reputation on these waters.
Other British victories included:
- Martin Wrigley & Bettine Harris dominating the 470 Mixed, sealing the gold before the Medal Race.
- Jon Gimson & Anna Burnet, Tokyo 2020 silver medallists, triumphed in the Nacra 17, winning the Medal Race for their first major post-Olympics victory.
- Freya Black & Saskia Tidey claimed gold in the 49erFX, starting their LA 2028 campaign on a high.
Notable Performances from Around the Globe
iQFOiL Women
Emma Wilson (GBR) finally broke her run of narrow defeats, winning gold ahead of Zheng Yan (CHN) and Veerle Ten Have (NZL). “I haven’t won many big events in my career, so this one means a lot,” Wilson said.
iQFOiL Men
Grae Morris (AUS), Paris 2024 silver medallist, made the most of a new finals format to secure the title. Nicolo Renna (ITA) took silver, with Adrien Mestre (FRA) earning bronze.
470 Mixed
Wrigley & Harris (GBR) were untouchable, securing the top spot even before the final race. Germany’s Diesch/Markfort and Italy’s Berta/Calabrò rounded out the podium.
49er Men
Reigning world champions Erwan Fischer & Clément Péquin (FRA) rebounded from a disappointing Olympic cycle, winning with consistency and tactical refinement. Germany’s 19-year-old Richard Schultheis impressed with silver, alongside Fabien Reigler, while Denmark’s Rask/Precht Jensen took bronze.
49erFX Women
Black & Tidey (GBR) capitalized on tricky offshore conditions to clinch their first overall Sofía victory, ahead of Johanne & Andrea Schmidt (DEN) and Dahl Andersen/Edland (NOR).
Formula Kite Men
Max Maeder (SGP), the 18-year-old world champion, added a third consecutive Sofía title to his resume. Despite missing Olympic gold in Paris, Maeder dominated the Palma event. Riccardo Pianosi (ITA) earned silver, and Valentin Bontus (AUT) took bronze.
Formula Kite Women
China’s Wan Li secured gold after a thrilling showdown with Britain’s Lily Young, who had moved to match point in the final. Ellie Aldridge (GBR) completed the podium with bronze.
ILCA 6 Women
After two consecutive runner-up finishes, Zoe Thomson (AUS) finally claimed the top step in Palma, followed by Italy’s rising star Emma Mativi and Britain’s Daisy Collingridge.
ILCA 7 Men
Micky Beckett (GBR) continued his Palma dominance with a fourth win in a row—his third with a race to spare. Elliot Hanson (GBR) placed second, with Finn Lynch (IRL) in third.
Nacra 17
After a break from sailing, Gimson & Burnet (GBR) returned to form, winning the Medal Race and the event. Ugolini/Giubilei (ITA) secured silver, and China’s Zhao/Su finished third.
A Strong Start to a New Olympic Era
With ten Olympic classes represented and 850 sailors from around the world, the 54th Trofeo Princesa Sofía provided the ideal launchpad for athletes beginning their LA 2028 Olympic journeys.
The event, jointly organized by Club Nàutic S’Arenal, Club Marítimo San Antonio de la Playa, Real Club Náutico de Palma, and several regional federations, is part of the Sailing World Grand Slam 2025, alongside iconic regattas in France, the Netherlands, Germany, and the USA.
For more info: www.trofeoprincesasofia.org
