King Juan Carlos has asked to sail onboard one of the new Volvo Open 70s during the in-port race which will kick off the Volvo Ocean Race in Sanxenxo, Galicia, on November 5, 2005.

An avid sailor himself, and is often seen at the helm of his IMS race boat Bribón. He was recently a competitor in the Admiral’s Cup raced in the Solent’s challenging waters, where the Spanish team finished a narrow second. Two of the King’s three children are also world-class sailors, his son H.R.H. Felipe de Borbón, Prince of Asturias, sailed for Spain in the 1992

His Majesty is one of three royals (King Harald of Norway and ex King Constantine of Greece – himself an Olympic gold medallist) known for their love of grand prix yacht racing.