Same destination, same purpose. For the third time in the almost three years that have elapsed since he chose to go into self-exile in Abu Dhabi, King Juan Carlos has set foot again, this Wednesday, shortly after 2 in the afternoon, Galician land after getting off the steps of the private jet that has taken from the emirate to Vigo airport. As on previous occasions, it was his friend and host, Pedro Campos, who was waiting for him at the foot of the steps. Together in Campos’ car they have traveled to Sanxenxo, where this weekend the Spanish Cup of the 6mR class is taking place, in which the Bribón participates.
The scheduled routine for these days involves going from Campos’s house to the pontoons of the Yacht Club and, after boarding the small sailboat, training this Thursday and competing in the test from Friday to Sunday. The Spanish Cup is the last qualifying competition before the World Championship of that class to be held at the end of August on the Isle of Wight (England). The current Bribón inherited the name of the supersonic sailboats that for years competed, with King Juan Carlos as skipper and Josep Cusí, as owner, in the Copa del Rey de Vela de Mallorca. The current sailboat is smaller and more manageable and, in fact, belongs to the class of six meters, although the length of it reaches ten. She is designed for calm navigation and her interior is adapted to the mobility problems suffered by King Juan Carlos.
According to all the sources consulted, including those of his closest circle, King Juan Carlos will maintain an even lower profile than the one that characterized his previous visit to Spain last April. It will not be so easy, since these days, the Galician town is in full high season with the beaches, hotels and streets bursting with people.