In December, after the meltdown of the Audi Med Cup, European Soto 40 class owners unanimously agreed to create a Soto 40 European Championship. That competition has now been formally announced, featuring five events.
Sailing already has too many classes that dilute the sport into fleets of a few, but since the Soto 40 was created in Argentina in 2008, the class has spread around the world (accelerated by supporting the TP52 Audi Med Cup) with an estimated 33 boats competing. The one-design nature of the Soto 40 has also helped its popularity, with owner-drivers more comfortable with cost containment.
Soto 40 European Championship Calendar.
- Trofeo Conde de Godo – May 24th to 27th (Barcelona, Spain)
- Sardinia Cup – June 11th to 16th (Porto Cervo, Sardinia)
- Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre – July 18th to 21st (Palma de Mallorca)
- Copa Sotogrande – August 10th to 13th (Sotogrande)
- Soto 40 European Championship Finals – September 19th to 22nd (Valencia, Spain)
Soto 40 European Events, Dates & Venues.
The first event of the Soto 40 European Championship will be Trofeo Conde de Godo organized by Real Club Nautico de Barcelona from May 24th to 27th. This regatta will be the starting point and the first chance for teams to measure their true potential in this Championship.
The second meeting of the Soto 40 European Championship will be staged with the prestigious Sardinia Cup (Offshore nations teams World Championship) organized by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo, from June 11th to 16th. The Soto 40 boats will compete alongside the TP52/IRC 52 class.
This year, in order to avoid clashing with the London Olympics, the Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre will be held from July 18th to 21st in the Bay of Palma.
In mid-August, the Soto 40 fleet will move to Sotogrande to celebrate the fourth round of the Soto 40 European Championship, during the Sotogrande Cup, held from August the 10th to 13th.
The Finals of the Soto 40 European Championship will be in Valencia, more specifically in the Port America’s Cup from September 19th to 22nd.
The five official events will be supplemented by a warm-up or test event in April. The PalmaVela Mapfre regatta organized by Real Club Nautico de Palma between April 19th and 22nd, will provide teams with “official training” for the Soto 40 European Championship.
