The 44th MAPFRE King’s Cup began on Tuesday in Palma Bay with a day full of symbolism, in which sport, tradition, and the legacy of Spanish sailing came together in an emotional tribute to Manuel “Noluco” Doreste and Javier Vallejo, two prominent figures in the sport who recently passed away. Among those in attendance, the presence of His Majesty King Felipe VI was particularly notable, as he once again highlighted the close bond he has maintained for decades with one of the premier sailing events on the international calendar.
The King, who is returning to compete as skipper of the Hispania, arrived at the Royal Yacht Club of Palma at 10:30 a.m., where he was received by the club president, Rafael Gil. Before putting on his racing gear and heading out onto the water, Felipe VI participated in the tribute ceremony held on the club’s main terrace, sharing the occasion with family, sailors, and historical figures from the world of Spanish sailing.
The ceremony brought together prominent figures such as Olympic medalists Theresa Zabell, Luis Doreste – ‘Noluco’s’ brother – and Domingo Manrique, who reflected on both sailors’ sporting and personal journeys through a video featuring some of the highlights of their careers, both on and off the water. A long standing ovation from the audience concluded the event, an occasion marked by emotion and recognition for two athletes who made a decisive contribution to the international prestige of Spanish sailing.
Javier Vallejo also has a special connection to the Crown’s Olympic history. As a member of the Spanish team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, he was there at the same time as the then Prince of Asturias, who served as the flag bearer for the Spanish delegation. Subsequently, Vallejo enjoyed a distinguished career at the highest international level as a member of the Spanish America’s Cup team.
For his part, Manuel “Noluco” Doreste leaves an exceptional sporting legacy. As a member of one of the most influential families in Spanish sailing, he won world titles in both dinghy and cruiser classes and represented Spain at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games alongside Domingo Manrique and Juan Luis Wood. His sporting career ran parallel to a brilliant professional career as an anesthesiologist, which made him a prominent figure both on and off the competition circuit.
The moment of truth
Once the tribute was over, Felipe VI went to the dock with the crew of the Hispania to prepare for the ship’s competitive debut in this year’s MAPFRE King’s Cup. The departure for the race course, which took place around 1:00 PM in Palma Bay, marks the start of the King’s final participation in an event that goes beyond the strictly sporting realm.
The presence of the Head of State aboard the Hispania is, year after year, one of the greatest institutional assets of the MAPFRE King’s Cup. Beyond the competition itself, it reinforces the championship’s international profile, consolidates Palma as one of the leading destinations for high-level competitive sailing in the Mediterranean, and underscores the Crown’s commitment to a sport that is part of the recent history of Spanish Olympic participation and the profile of Spanish sailing.
