King Juan Carlos, commander of the Bribón, has become world champion by winning his third world title in the six-meter class at the Zebra Sailing World Championships on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom last week. “We have a sensational team, a very good team. We worked for it, we fought for it and here you can see the result,” said the 85-year-old father of Felipe VI. in statements collected by his team, the Royal Sailing Club of Sanxenxo (RCNS). Leading a team of seven, the monarch emeritus has returned the Galician club to a title it held between 2017 and 2022 after triumphing at the Cowes Regattas and in the Royal Yacht Squadron.
The storm of strong sea currents and wind made competition difficult in the Solent, the island’s regatta course. Since Monday, the podium has been decided between four teams: Bribón, Titia, the Frenchman Dix Août and the American Silvervingen. Finally, the Galician boat managed to win gold by six points over the French team, which took second place. This is the third time he has achieved this. The first took place in Canada in 2017 and the second in Finland in 2019.
His team also celebrated the victory with enthusiasm: “It was a very difficult championship, probably the most complicated of the six championships that we have won in recent years between the World Championships and the European Championships.” We are very proud to win this new World Championship title for Spain “To have won Galicia and for Sanxenxo,” said Pedro Campos, leader of the team. The team leader and good friend of Juan Carlos personally thanked the Emeritus for his participation. “Under the command of King Don Juan Carlos, who has been working for many months, and his presence in the training and regattas that we have held in our club throughout the year, they have been crucial to the success of the club’s two boats.” the Bribón and the Titia,” Campos said in statements to the media after winning the championship. Furthermore, Campos has admitted that this year’s championship was “probably the most complicated” of the six championships the club has won in recent years between World Cups and European Championships.
It was a busy working and shipping day in UK waters, starting on September 4th. At this point, the King Emeritus was assisted by his daughter, Infanta Elena, who traveled to England to accompany him. The Infanta also made a surprise visit to her father in Sanxenxo (Pontevedra), where last July, also on board the Bribón, the King was crowned winner of the regattas in the Galician city and won the Carlos I Silgar Hotel Trophy.
Between regattas, the former monarch had the opportunity to mourn the recent death of journalist María Teresa Campos and to express condolences to his daughters from England. Juan Carlos I has been living in exile for three years in Abu Dhabi, the city where he lives with his eldest grandson Felipe de Marichalar.
