Juan Carlos I, in the United Kingdom to participate in the 6m class Sailing World Cup

Juan Carlos I, in the United Kingdom to participate in the 6m class Sailing World Cup

Juan Carlos I is already in the United Kingdom to participate starting next Monday, with the sailboat” Bribón “, in the world sailing championship of the 6m class that will be held on the Isle of Wight until September 8, and where, at 85 years old, he aspires to win the title for the third time.

Don Juan Carlos faces this event after having prepared with the crew of the “Bribón”, captained by his friend Pedro Campos, in the regatta that was held in Sanxenxo (Pontevedra) at the end of last July, in which he achieved the first position after two days of racing.

Sources close to the emeritus king have confirmed to EFE that his intention is to take part in this competition, although it will not be confirmed until Sunday, because that is the day when the composition of the crews will be officially announced.

The World Cup that is going to be held in the town of Cowes, in the north of the island, is the third in which Felipe VI’s father participates, after winning the title in the classic category in those held in 2017 in Vancouver (Canada) and, two years later, in Hanko (Finland).

The last championship was held in Sanxenxo in June 2022, in which “Bribón” came second and in which Juan Carlos I decided not to participate. That competition took place a month after the king emeritus made his first visit to Spain since his departure to Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) in August 2020, which caused discomfort in the Government and in the King’s House due to the great expectation. Media that surrounded her.

Four months after turning 86 and with mobility problems due to the poor condition of his joints, Don Juan Carlos has prepared himself physically at his residence in Abu Dhabi to be able to compete and in recent months he has lost 20 kilos.

In addition to at the end of July, he was in Sanxenxo in mid-April to participate in another regatta with the “Bribón”, although he was unable to embark on any of the two days of the tournament due to bad weather and could only do so in the two sessions training previews.

The world regattas on the Isle of Wight will take place from September 4 to 9, preceded by training sessions that start on August 31, two days after the participating boats begin to arrive.