Report on the 43rd Copa del Rey MAPFRE: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

Event Overview

The 43rd edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE, scheduled from July 26th to August 2nd at the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP), is set to establish a significant benchmark in its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event will serve as a prominent platform for advancing gender equality, fostering global partnerships, and promoting inclusive development through sport.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The regatta demonstrates a profound commitment to SDG 5 by achieving a historic level of female participation. This initiative directly supports the target of ensuring women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership.

• Over 200 women sailors from 29 countries will compete, marking a record for the event.
• Participation includes all-female teams, such as those in the Balearia Women’s Cup, and women integrated into mixed crews across all five racing classes.
• The event showcases a wide age range of female athletes, from 7-year-old Julie-Jet De Ridder to 68-year-old Petra Sieber, highlighting lifelong engagement in sport for women.
• The Spanish Navy’s entry, skippered by Esther Gómez Díaz de la Cortina, provides a powerful example of institutional support for female leadership in competitive sailing.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The success of the event is a testament to strong multi-stakeholder partnerships, a cornerstone of SDG 17. These collaborations are essential for mobilizing resources and promoting shared objectives.

1. Organizational Leadership: The RCNP and title sponsor MAPFRE are actively driving initiatives to promote diversity, including establishing gender parity criteria and increasing the visibility of female role models.
2. Institutional Collaboration: The support from the High Military Sports Council for the Spanish Navy’s team exemplifies a public-private partnership dedicated to advancing equality.
3. Global Cooperation: With over 130 teams registered from 24 countries, the regatta fosters international cooperation and cultural exchange, strengthening global solidarity.

SDG 4: Quality Education and Youth Development

The event contributes to SDG 4 by highlighting the importance of training, development, and lifelong learning opportunities within the sporting community.

• The participation of young Spanish talents underscores the success of development programs promoted by sailing federations and yacht clubs.
• These programs provide inclusive and equitable opportunities for young athletes to develop skills and pursue excellence, aligning with targets for technical and vocational education.

Conclusion: A Model for Sustainable Sport

The 43rd Copa del Rey MAPFRE transcends its status as a world-class sporting competition to become a clear example of how the sailing community can actively contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable future. By placing significant emphasis on gender equality (SDG 5) and leveraging strong partnerships (SDG 17), the event sets a progressive standard for international sport, demonstrating a tangible commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article’s central theme is the “historic milestone” of “unprecedented level of female participation” in the 43rd Copa del Rey MAPFRE sailing regatta. It explicitly states the event “reaffirms its commitment to gender equality in competitive sailing” and highlights initiatives like “gender parity criteria in certain classes” and the “visibility of female role models.” This directly connects to the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article mentions that many of the “young female talents from across Spain… are the result of training and development programs promoted by sailing federations, yacht clubs, and the Spanish Navy.” This focus on skill development and training programs that enable participation in high-level sports aligns with ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The success of the initiative is presented as a collaborative effort. The article states, “Together with MAPFRE and the RCNP, the organization continues to actively promote diversity.” It also mentions the involvement of the “Spanish Navy” and the “High Military Sports Council.” This collaboration between a sports club (RCNP), a private sector sponsor (MAPFRE), and public/military bodies (Spanish Navy) to achieve a common goal (gender equality in sailing) is a clear example of a multi-stakeholder partnership.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

   The article directly addresses this target by celebrating the record number of “over 200 women sailors” participating in the event. It highlights their full integration into the competition, noting their presence in “all-female teams, as well as numerous women integrated into mixed crews.” The mention of Esther Gómez Díaz de la Cortina as a “skipper” also points to women in leadership roles within the sport.

2. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.

   This target is relevant through the article’s reference to “training and development programs” that provide young women with the technical and vocational skills required for competitive sailing. The article implies these programs are successful, as the participants are described as “young female talents” who are now competing at a prestigious international event.

3. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

   The article showcases such a partnership in action. The Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP), MAPFRE (a corporate sponsor), and the Spanish Navy are working together to “actively promote diversity” and increase female participation. This collaboration is presented as a key driver behind the event’s success in moving “toward a more inclusive future.”

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Proportion of women in sports competitions and leadership roles.

   The article provides specific data that can be used as an indicator: the count of “over 200 women sailors” and the fact that this is a “record” number. The presence of “all-female teams” and a female “skipper” are also qualitative indicators of participation and leadership. Comparing this number to previous years, as the article does by stating “continued growth… each year,” is a direct way to measure progress.

2. Existence and outcomes of skill development programs.

   An implied indicator is the number of participants who are products of specific training programs. The article states that “many” of the young talents are the “result of training and development programs.” While not quantified, the existence of these programs and their ability to produce high-level competitors serves as an indicator of progress toward providing relevant skills.

3. Number and nature of multi-stakeholder partnerships promoting equality.

   The article explicitly names the partners involved: “RCNP,” “MAPFRE,” and the “Spanish Navy.” The existence of this public-private-civil society partnership is a clear indicator. The specific initiatives they undertake, such as establishing “gender parity criteria” and promoting “female role models,” are further indicators of the partnership’s effectiveness and commitment to the goal.

SDGs, Targets and Indicators Analysis

Source: sail-world.com