Rey emérito asiste a regatas en Sanxenxo

Juan Carlos I returned to Sanxenxo this week for another round of 6 Metre sailing, appearing at the Galician resort on Saturday alongside his daughter, Infanta Elena. The former Spanish king had arrived in Vigo on May 13 from Cascais, Portugal, according to Europa Press and other Spanish media, for the weekend regattas organized in Sanxenxo. (europapress.es) He was again linked to the Bribón, the boat long associated with his appearances in the local 6 Metre circuit. His presence drew photographers and spectators to the marina, as has happened on previous visits. (antena3.com) ### Why was Juan Carlos I in Sanxenxo this weekend? (regatas.rcnsanxenxo.com) Sanxenxo hosted another stop in the VIII Liga Española de 6 metros, according to the Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo calendar. The club’s 2026 schedule shows successive series of the competition in March, April and May, placing this weekend’s racing within a regular national circuit rather than a one-off appearance. Europa Press reported on May 13 that Juan Carlos had traveled to Galicia specifically for the regattas taking place from Friday to Sunday in the Pontevedra estuary. Antena 3, citing EFE, said on May 16 that he had returned to Galicia for the 6 Metre races and was preparing for the third series of the league. (europapress.es) ### Who was with him at the regatta? Infanta Elena was with Juan Carlos on the water, continuing a pattern seen on earlier Sanxenxo visits this year. Antena 3 said Elena accompanied him during the outing and that Victoria Federica was also present during the visit. Europa Press had reported in April that Elena joined her father in Sanxenxo to follow the first day of racing in that earlier series. (regatas.rcnsanxenxo.com) Pedro Campos, president of the Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo, again received Juan Carlos on arrival in Vigo, according to Europa Press and media reports that cited people close to his entourage. Campos has regularly hosted him during his stays in the area. (europapress.es) ### Did he compete or just watch? Antena 3 reported, citing EFE, that Juan Carlos was registered as a crew member of Bribón for the Sanxenxo races. The same report said that on this visit he followed the competition from an auxiliary boat rather than acting as helmsman. (antena3.com) Earlier coverage from April showed a similar format. Europa Press reported then that he went out by boat with Elena to follow the racing closely, after arriving at the dock in the morning and taking part in a ceremonial christening of one of the competing boats. (europapress.es) ### Why does Sanxenxo keep appearing in these visits? Sanxenxo has become the fixed point for Juan Carlos’s sailing-related returns to Spain. La Voz de Galicia reported in April that his trip that month was tied to the Trofeo Xacobeo Sanxenxo, the 2026 name used for the Spanish 6 Metre league round in the Pontevedra estuary. The same report said that March travel plans had been suspended earlier in the year. (antena3.com) The Bribón also won the April Trofeo Xacobeo round, according to La Voz de Galicia, with a crew led by Juan Carlos and Jane Abascal at the helm. That result helps explain why Sanxenxo remains a recurring stop on his calendar as the 2026 season progresses. (europapress.es) ### What comes next in the sailing calendar? The Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo calendar shows another May series after this weekend’s event as part of the VIII Liga Española de 6 metros. Separate federation listings also show the Regata Rey Juan Carlos I–El Corte Inglés Máster scheduled for Sept. 18-20, 2026, in Sanxenxo. (lavozdegalicia.es) Infobae, citing published competition information, said Juan Carlos’s 2026 program is also being used as preparation for a European championship in Geneva beginning on July 13. That would make the next named milestones the remaining domestic league rounds and the July international event. (infobae.com) (regatas.rcnsanxenxo.com) (lavozdegalicia.es)