The 55th Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca is officially launched
The official presentation of the 55th Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca by FERGUS Hotels brought together organisers and representatives from the Balearic Islands’ public institutions, who expressed their support for an event that will make Mallorca the global focal point for Olympic sailing. Around 900 boats and more than 1,100 sailors from 62 countries will compete until 4 April on the Bay of Palma for the first round of the 2026 Sailing Grand Slam.
The event was presided over by Cati Darder, president of the Federación Balear de Vela (Balearic Sailing Federation) and of Bahía Activa, the foundation organising the event; Guillem Ginard, Minister for Tourism of the Consell de Mallorca; Jaume Bauzà, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Government of the Balearic Islands; and Pep Cañellas, founder and executive president of the FERGUS Group. Also present were the presidents of the Real Federación Española de Vela (Royal Spanish Sailing Federation), the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP), the Club Nàutic S’Arenal (CNA), the Club Marítimo San Antonio de la Playa (CMSAP) and the Club de Vela Port d’Andratx (CVPA).
The Olympic class event will take place from 30 March to 4 April, featuring the ten classes selected for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Around 900 boats from 62 nations are already training in the Bay of Palma to compete in the 55th edition of the Sofía, the first scoring event for the 2026 Sailing Grand Slam, the circuit that brings together the five most important Olympic class events in the world. Prior to this, from 27 to 29 March, the Sofía will host ORC cruisers, One Design classes and Hansa 303s, competitions which, as Cati Darder explained, “bring diversity, encourage participation and reinforce the Sofía’s commitment to a more inclusive and accessible sailing”.
This will be the first edition organised by Bahía Activa, the foundation comprising RCNP, CNA, CMSAP and the FBV. According to its president, “this joint project represents a very important step forward. It is a model of collaboration based on trust, shared responsibility and the willingness to work together to guarantee the future of sailing in our bay and the sustained growth of the Sofía”.
Pep Cañellas highlighted the role of the Sofía in promoting Mallorca, home to 20 of the 36 hotels in the FERGUS Group. “It is an event that generates activity at an important time on the calendar and helps to project an image of Mallorca as dynamic, active and global. As a Mallorcan, a lover of the sea and a member of the tourism sector, I want to highlight the very positive role that initiatives like this play in the island’s society.”
Speaking on behalf of the Consell de Mallorca, Guillem Ginard noted that the Sofía is a model of institutional collaboration: “Not only does it bring together the international elite of this sport, but it also projects to the world the image of a region committed to excellence, sport and the sea. From the Consell de Mallorca’s tourism department, we reaffirm our commitment to initiatives such as this one, which generate a real positive impact, contribute to seasonality reduction, and attract a visitor profile linked to sport and quality.”
On behalf of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Jaume Bauzá conveyed a message of full support from President Marga Prohens: “The Sofía is the result of a job well done by generations of athletes, managers and staff at our yacht clubs. It is a symbol of our organisational excellence and of the passion the Balearic Islands feel for the sea. Events such as this demonstrate that the Balearic Islands are more than just sun and sand; they are a global sporting powerhouse.”
Monday to Saturday
The competition programme for the Olympic classes will begin on Monday, 30 March, with the debut of the more than 600 boats comprising the 470 Mixed, 49er, 49erFX, Nacra 17, ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 fleets. The following day, Tuesday 31st, the Formula Kite Men and Women, and iQFOiL Men and Women, will complete the line-up of 900 teams competing in the 55th edition of the Sofía. This impressive line-up will include the top exponents in each of the Olympic classes, including 27 of the 30 medallists and the overall champion of the 2025 edition, Britain’s Emma Wilson. The competition will conclude on Saturday, 4 April, with the Medal Races, the thrilling finals that will decide the champions of the 55th Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca by FERGUS Hotels.
The 55th Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca by FERGUS Hotels is organised by Bahía Activa and supported by World Sailing. The event is co-financed by the Balearic Islands Government’s Sustainable Tourism Tax fund and sponsored by the Mallorca Responsible Tourism Foundation.
The 55th Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca by FERGUS Hotels forms part of the 2026 Sailing Grand Slam, alongside the Semaine Olympique Française, Dutch Water Week, Kieler Woche and the Long Beach & San Pedro Olympic Classes Regatta.
