| PALMA DE MALLORCA, SPAIN-(11-2-2005) Around 350 boats have already registered for the 36th edition of the Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia-Madrid 2012 for dinghy sailing when there is still a month to go for the entry deadline. The entries are going at good pace in all classes, including the new Olympic disciplines, the Laser Radial women and the Neil Pryde RS:X men and 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 M, the Laser, the 49er, the 470 M, the Tornado and the Finn classes. Despite being a new Olympic discipline, a surprising number of entries have also been received in the Laser Radial women. Regarding the Neil Pryde RS:X M-W, not even ten entries have been received due to the lack of equipment available.
Once again, the Bay of Palma will welcome, during the Princesa Sofia, many Olympic medallists. Among them, we have Norwegian sailor Siren Sundby, gold medallist in the Europe class at the 2004 Athens Olympics, who has entered in the 470 women class for this edition of the regatta and will try luck with Karianne Undrum. British sailor Nick Dempsey, bronze medallist in the Mistral men class in Athens 2004, has also changed class to compete now in the Neil Pryde RS:X.
In the 49er fleet, third (British team Chris Draper/Simon Hiscocks) and fourth classified (Norwegian sailors Christoffer Sundby/Frode Bovim) in Athens 2004, have confirmed their entry. The 2004 Athens gold medallists, Spanish team Iker Martínez/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, Finn class silver medallist in Athens 2004 and number one on the ISAF Finn class World Sailing Ranking Lists, has confirmed attendance. Confirmation of attendance has also been received from Spanish Tornado team Fernando Echavarri /Antón Paz, Olympic diploma in Athens 2004. Swedish sailors Johan Molund/Patrick Johansson in 470 M, fourth classified in Athens 2004, as well as British Laser sailor Paul Goodison, also fourth in the Olympics, will also attend the regatta.
The 36th edition of the Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia for dinghy sailing will be held from 19 to 25 March 2005. The IMS cruiser event, second event of the Spanish Championship, will be held from 29 April to 1 May. The 36 Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia-Madrid 2012 is organised by the Federación Balear de Vela and Real Federación Española de Vela together with Real Club Náutico de Palma (venue of the IMS cruisers and classes Star, Yngling and Dragon), Club Náutico de s'Arenal (venue of classes 470, Finn, 49er and Tornado), Club Náutico San Antonio de la Playa (Europe, Mistral and Neil Pryde RS:X) and Escuela de Vela Calanova (Laser and Laser Radial).
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