The Cape 31 class underlined its growing reputation in handicap racing with a dominant showing at the 44th Copa del Rey MAPFRE, where Sönke Meier-Sawatzki's Niramo claimed the ORC C title in Palma. Five Cape 31s competed in the 21-boat ORC C fleet, with Niramo, Earlybird, Django, Firstings and Meerblick demonstrating the class's pace against an international handicap fleet.
Packed Pursuit: Cape 31s battle for position against the backdrop of Palma as the class enjoyed one of its strongest showings yet at the Copa del Rey MAPFRE. Photo: Maria Muina
Niramo established an early advantage by winning the opening race before adding a second-place finish on day one. A week-long duel with Hendrik Brandis's Earlybird followed, with the title remaining undecided until the final race.
After eight races, Niramo secured overall victory by 1.75 points, completing a Cape 31 one-two at one of the Mediterranean's premier regattas. The winning crew included veteran Volvo Ocean Race sailor Bouwe Bekking and Australian match racing specialist Torvar Mirsky.
Winning Form: The eventual ORC C winners, Cape 31 Niramo, in action off Palma during the 44th Copa del Rey MAPFRE, where the class delivered a one-two finish and placed four boats inside the top six. Photo: Copa del Rey MAPFRE
"For me this is the biggest win ever at the most important event," said owner-helm Sönke Meier-Sawatzki.
"We already won Kiel Week, my home regatta, and now this. But this is so important for us. I think this is my tenth time at Copa del Rey and we have had a second and a third, so we are so happy. "I love this boat. It is more intensive than the ClubSwan 50, which I still have, and this Cape 31 maybe makes you sharper. Torvar and Bouwe are a great team together."
The Cape 31 fleet's depth was equally impressive. Four of the five boats finished inside the top six overall, while Meerblick claimed the Corinthian title, underlining the class's competitiveness under the ORC handicap rule.
Mediterranean Duel: Cape 31 rivals trade places during another closely fought race in Palma, where the ORC C title remained in the balance until the final day. Photo: Copa del Rey MAPFRE
Although conceived as a high-performance one-design yacht, the Cape 31 continues to prove equally effective in mixed-fleet competition. The Palma results add to a growing list of successes for the class at major international regattas. The performance also strengthens ambitions to expand the Cape 31's Mediterranean presence, with organisers hoping to see larger class participation at future editions of Copa del Rey and, ultimately, a dedicated one-design fleet racing in Palma.
