Art also knows how to sail. The 44th MAPFRE King’s Cup once again transforms Palma Bay into one of the sport’s main international showcases – and the occasional surprise. For a week, the regatta brings together some of the world’s best crews and owners, and it establishes itself as much more than a simple sporting competition: it is a meeting point where innovation, sustainability, business, culture, and shared values converge in one of the most prestigious sailing events on the international calendar. This is not only due to the caliber of the competition itself, but also to all the social and cultural elements it brings together. The Settebello is another example: a work of art in motion. And in the midst of competition.
In this context of global exposure, the Vice President of the Council of Mallorca and Regional Councillor for Culture and Heritage, Antònia Roca, participated in one of the competition days aboard the Settebello, a yacht competing in the Sail Racing ORC A category, which, in addition to aiming for a podium spot, has become a unique artistic canvas thanks to the HÉROES project, driven by the artist Luca Monzani.
The initiative transforms the sailing yacht into a true work of art at sea, leveraging the visual impact of the competition to convey a message of personal achievement, social inclusion, and commitment to the values embodied by the sport. Every time it goes out to sail, the Settebello becomes a sailing canvas capable of connecting with thousands of fans and professionals who follow the regatta from all over the world.
The best environment for conveying the message
For Antònia Roca, this project illustrates how art can find new avenues of expression and dialogue with society. “The HÉROES project demonstrates that sports and culture share the same values: effort, overcoming challenges, teamwork, and the ability to transform society. The fact that this message is conveyed on an international stage like the MAPFRE King’s Cup makes it even more powerful,” she said.
The vice president’s presence also strengthens the institutional bond between the Council of Mallorca and the HÉROES project, a collaboration that was consolidated this year with the donation of the main work of “HÉROES MMXXV” to the island’s cultural heritage. The work, which can currently be seen in the Patio de Dones of the La Misericòrdia Cultural Center, symbolizes art’s ability to transcend traditional exhibition spaces and become a tool for reflection and social impact.
Settebello’s participation in the MAPFRE King’s Cup also demonstrates how a top-level sporting event can serve as a platform for initiatives that go beyond mere competition. In an environment where sporting excellence, innovation, and international exposure combine, projects like HÉROES find the ideal setting to amplify a message that places people and values at the heart of the narrative.
