Jose Maria van der Ploeg is one of the most well-known sailors in Spain, bringing the country one of its great moments of pride and joy during the Barcelona Olympic Games, with a gold medal in the Finn class.

Time has past since then, but Van der Ploeg has continued sailing, winning, and competing with the same ambitious spirit to achieve as ever before. And his participation in the Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre will not be any different, although he changes from his usual GP42 to the new X-41 class.


QUESTION: Jose María, how did it come about that you will be sailing in the Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre with an X-41?

ANSWER: I have to say first of all that we are delighted to be sailing in this category, even if it wasn’t our original intention, as we had been sailing with the GP42. Unfortunately three months ago we were told that due to lack of inscription in the GP42 class it would not be participating, and that to take part we would have to sail in a rating or another class. For my sponsors and I this was quite unthinkable, since the Copa del Rey is a regatta that we appreciate and value greatly.

Q: So you came to consider the X-41 class?

A: Yes, I happen to have quite a lot to do with an X-Yacht, as I actually own one! This opened up a real possibility to participate, even if the team that we have here is not 100% the same as in the GP because of the restrictions laid down by the ‘owner’s drive’. This does not affect us so greatly since I can skipper the boat, and that is only permitted if the skipper is also the owner. There is also a limit to the number of professional sailors on board.

Q: But you have tried to keep the majority of the team together?

A: Yes. At the back of the boat the team is the same as in GP. In just a week we have had to look for several amateur sailors – which I have to say are also fantastic – to make up the rest of the team. This week we are going out to compete for the best results possible.

Q: What makes the Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre so special that people want to come back and compete time and again?

A: The Copa del Rey has been referential in the regatta circuit for many years, and an important sailing calendar for any team is not complete without participating in the Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre. The same can be said for events such as the Sardinia Cup or the Admiral’s Cup, that are symbolic regattas with have a history worldwide among sailors, sponsors and boat owners – everyone wants to be there.

Q: What does it mean to have two olympic medallists sailing on the team?

A: The boat has two Olympic medals to its name – one is my gold, and the other Rafa Trujillo’s silver. But we don’t live in the past. The medal naturally gives you a place in history, and demonstrates a certain level, but nowadays the circuit is so professional and competitive that you cannot afford to live in the past. The present takes place on a daily basis, and you have to prove that you are up there. It is the same with the GP team. For example this year for one reason or another we didn’t quite achieve what we wanted, and that was with an incredible team of Americas Cup, TP52 and Olympic sailors. It is really important to be prepared, keep improving and proving yourself every single day. The medals give a certain guarantee, and demonstrate that there is a level, but as time goes past the competitors are more and more demanding…

Q: What is your objective for this 28th edition of the Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre?

A: Turismo Madrid always aims to win. Madrid is a fabulous region, a great community that is open to everything, and constantly aims to do things in the best way possible. It is my obligation as owner and skipper of the project to do my utmost, so my sponsors BMW, Canal Isabel II and Madrid 2016 can feel proud that their boat, that represents so much, is up there at the highest level.