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The Copa del Rey is sure to be a challenging event for all teams. In the first event of the Breitling MEDCUP TP52 Circuit victory went to Spanish team, Caixa Galicia, with Roberto Bermúdez de CASTRO at the helm, whilst Vasco Vascotto and crew were untouchable in the Trofeo S.M. La Reina, and New Zealanders on Lexus fought till the very end to gain a well deserved win in the Breitling Regatta last week. The Copa del Rey is the true test for all of the vessels. There are many points in play, many different types of races; windward-leeward, coastal, and offshore races, and this event could propel any of the teams into the lead of the Breitling MEDCUP.

Caixa Galicia, owned by Spaniard Vicente TIRADO, already know what it feels like to win the coveted Copa del Rey, being the holders of the record of victories in the event with three wins in different categories. In this edition, the first for the new TP52 vessel, the team have a clear objective. 'Our aim is to win the Copa del Rey', comments Vicente Tirado. 'We are not really concerned at this stage with the general rankings. There are still a lot of points to be won, and we won't focus on the Circuit itself until after the Copa del Rey. Our philosophy is to approach the Circuit event by event.' The owner of Caixa Galicia adds, 'The Copa del Rey is a very important event, but I don't think it will be decisive in terms of the Breitling MEDCUP. The Class is very equal, and things can change at any time, as the level of competition in the Class is truly extraordinary.'

Movistar -Pisco Sour-, also know the taste of victory with Pedro Campos in 2002. The duo taking the helm of movistar, CAMPOS and VASCOTTO, know the bahia de Palma very well, knowledge which they will surely use to their advantage in the different regattas in the event.

The recently incorporated Balearia, with the four times winner of this event, Toño GOROSTEGUI, also has the local knowledge which could be key in this competition. The team are currently working to get the boat into optimum condition for the races which begin on Monday.

'I am very happy with the boat,' comments Gorostegui, 'We have been training out on the race course over the past few days, and the boat seems to be responding well in light wind conditions. It's been tough, but the boat is almost optimised to race now.'

Among the latest additions to the crews, is Balearia's Tactician Santiago LOPEZ-VAZQUEZ, who is also a member of the Spanish Desafío Español America's Cup team.

The other TP52s are currently in Palma training for the event and familiarising themselves with the race courses. Lexus will yet again have 3 times America's Cup winner Russell COUTTS at the helm, and is involved in intensive preparations right now, along with the Italian team Orlanda-Olympus, with Tomasso CHIEFFI, who are also preparing for the races in Palma. For the Greek vessel Atalanti XV, the pressure is on to race a good regatta, after a broken stay forced them to withdraw from two of the races in Puerto Portals, meaning they must work even harder to recover the points lost in the last event. Siemens, a recent addition to the fleet, also have the benefit of knowledge of the bay of Palma, and the conditions which the boats are likely to face out on the regatta course.

Bribón, owned by José CUSI, and leader in the Corinthian category, must work hard to defend their title, as they face an optimised Cristabella, with John COOK, as well as Aifos and Bambakou, who are more competitive day by day.

General Rankings

1. PISCO SOUR-Movistar 147

2. LEXUS QUANTUM 139

3. CAIXA GALICIA 134

4. BRIBON 112

5. ORLANDA 111

6. BAMBAKOU 105

7. ATALANTI XV 102

8. CRISTABELLA 67

9. AIFOS 49

10. SIEMENS 13