52 Super Series: Bitterly flat start to the season for "Platoon Aviation"

A serious setback for Harm Müller-Spreer's crew on "Platoon Aviation" at the season opener in the Mediterranean. In the Bay of Saint-Tropez, the TP52, sailing under the flag of the North German Regatta Association, surprisingly failed to finish higher than eleventh and last place. After only four races in the bitterly flat short programme, the owner and helmsman and his team had to admit defeat to the entire competition.

Initially, they had no answer to this black streak. At the preliminary training in Valencia a few weeks ago, "Platoon Aviation" had made a completely different impression with a new keel fin and good results. The team will have to find out as quickly as possible in the coming weeks whether the light winds or other factors led to the unsuccessful start.

52 Super Series: Match race duel for victory

The top duel between the American "Sled" and the British "Gladiator" remained exciting right to the finish. For a long time in the fourth race, it looked as if "Sled" could control its rivals, but with a last-minute attack, the "Gadiator" team was able to turn the tide in its favour in a thrilling match race.

Third place in the fourth and final race and only twelve points in the event account were enough for Tony Langley's 2024 world champions to win the event in Saint-Tropez, because "Sled" came fourth in the final race, one point short of the final tally of 13 points. The triumph tastes particularly sweet for Toney Langley because it is the first regatta in the 52 Super Series that he has won as helmsman of his "Gladiator".

He was supported by tactician Guille Parada, who led the team to gold at the Rolex TP52 World Championship in Newport in the USA last year. America's Cup winner Ray Davies from New Zealand brought additional strength to the team as a strategist. This was clearly visible in the successful attack on "Sled" in the decisive race.

British "Gladiator" in front of two US yachts

Tony Langley commented happily on the victory in Saint-Tropez: "I can't quite believe it yet. It's my first regatta win as helmsman in the 52 Super Series for 15 years. And for 'Guille' it's his first regatta win as a tactician. The role reversal seems to be working well so far, it's really something very special."

In addition to "Gladiator" and "Sled", the series record winners from the US team American Magic Quantum Racing also sailed onto the podium at the first of five regattas in this season's 52 Super Series. After a weak start, they still managed to make it onto the podium with a win on the day in the last race. Click here for the results of the regatta in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and the season standings.

What would have been possible for Team Platoon Aviation with a full series of ten instead of just four races this week remains a question without an answer. The German team was the only boat not to finish in the top half of the fleet. The 7th, 8th, 11th and 10th places showed that Harm Müller-Spreer, tactician Vasco Vascotto and the team have a lot of work ahead of them before the second regatta of the 14th season of the 52 Super Series.

52 Super Series: continuation at the beginning of June

The leading international monohull Grand Prix series will continue with the Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup from 2 to 7 June in the Spanish region of Baiona, before the World Championship takes place from 1 to 6 July in Cascais, Portugal. The season ends with the showdown at the Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week (18 to 23 August) and the final from 22 to 27 September in Porto Cervo.

REPLAY! Click here for the replay of the live broadcast of the final day, which started with some delay. Fast forward recommended: