Tauranga sailors Sam Meech and Jason Saunders are in Spain this weekend competing in the third of seven regattas that make up the ISAF Sailing World Cup.

Racing starts today in the Elliott 6 metre, and on Monday for all other classes at the Trofeo SAR Princess Sofia MAPFRE Regatta in Palma de Mallorca.

Sam Meech.

The medal winners will be decided on April 8.

Twelve individuals or teams from New Zealand are on the entry list competing with the 700 entries from 53 nations including many of the world's best sailors who are returning to defend their titles.

Sam Meech is starting with four other Laser sailors: Andrew Murdoch, Mike Bullot, Andy Maloney, and Josh Junior.

Sara Winther is the sole Kiwi entry in the Radial division.
Tom Ashley opens his European board sailing season in Palma and will be New Zealand's only board sailor at this regatta.
Jo Aleh will sail the women's 470 with Bianca Barbarich-Bacher (standing in for Polly Powrie), and Paul Snow-Hansen and Jason Saunders line up in the Men's fleet.
Dan Slater will sail in the Finn, and New Zealand's Koru Match – Stephanie Hazard, Jenna Hansen and Susannah Pyatt – are set to compete in the Women's Match Racing.

New Zealand Entries
Tom Ashley, Men's RS:X; Sara Winther, Laser Radial; Jo Aleh and Bianca Barbarich-Bacher , Women's 470.
Paul Snow-Hansen and Jason Saunders, Men's 470; Dan Slater, Matt Coutts, Finn;
Mike Bullot, Andy Maloney, Josh Junior, Andrew Murdoch, Sam Meech, Laser.
Koru Match: Stephanie Hazard, Jenna Hansen and Susannah Pyatt.

Coaches Mark Howard, Mark Orams, Nathan Handley, Hamish Wilcox and Dave Robertson will support the New Zealand sailors at Trofeo SAR Princess Sofia MAPFRE Regatta.