52 Super Series: Fleet growth for the TPs - 13 teams ready to start in Puerto Portals
Tatjana Pokorny
· 27.08.2024
After two seventh places, the World Championship podium finish in Newport was a conciliatory result for Harm Müller-Spreer's crew on the new "Platoon Aviation". However, the Hamburg-based owner of the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein and his crew were not really satisfied after a bumpy start to the season. As world champions in 2017, 2019 and 2023, they want more with their new Botin design. The five-day test of strength from 28 August to 1 September will show whether this can be achieved at the fourth regatta of the season in the traditional class area off Puerto Portals.
Iconic territory for the 52 Super Series
Harm Müller-Spreer said himself after winning gold at last year's World Championships: "Winning three World Championships in this class is not a matter of course. It's incredibly difficult." His team, with a new boat, has felt that this year. Before the start of the regatta on Thursday, "Platoon Aviation" tactician Vasco Vascotto said: "We are very happy to return to the waters off Puerto Portals and the bay of Palma de Mallorca, because this is always one of the most symbolic places for this class."
Commenting on the increased fleet, which has 13 boats off Mallorca, the Italian said: "It's great to see that the class is gaining strength and depth again. We hope that we will continue to have numbers in this region in the future. At 'Platoon Aviation' we are of course pleased with the last result at the World Championships. A podium finish is an excellent result, but we can't be satisfied with that and need to work hard and sail smart to keep improving."
But the other twelve teams also want to move up. In total, the boats in the 52 Super Series come from nine countries. Ergin Imre is celebrating his comeback with a new boat in the Bay of Palma Circuit: "Provezza XI" is contesting its first regatta in the 52 Super Series. Ergin Imre and his crew will probably have fond memories of the first regatta of this season, which they won with their predecessor "Provezza X". The new Judel/Vrolijk design is now starting its trial phase under the Turkish flag.
How quickly does "Provezza XI" get up to ball height?
The design was closely modelled on the successful "Provezza X", while the newcomers "Platoon Aviation" and "Alegre" from the Botin design office represent a completely new hull design. Both teams struggled in the debut season of their boats. Will Ergin Imre and his team be able to get back on the ball faster than the Platoon Aviation and Alegre teams with a boat that is more similar to its predecessor? The clash in Spanish waters will also show that.
"Provezza XI" skipper John Cutler smiled at this idea and warned against exaggerated expectations: "You can dream that... But then you also have to look at how long it took to get 'Provezza X' going. And how long it takes good teams to get new boats up to speed - regardless of what the design process promised in terms of profit. It's a long process. I would obviously like the new boat to have no problems and be reasonably competitive."
"Phoenix" shines at the dress rehearsal
New additions to the 52 Super Series are the French "Teasing Machine" and the Brazilian Crioula Team. In training on the last day before the regatta, Hasso and Tina Plattner's "Phoenix" made a strong impression with a race win and a second place. The crew achieved this in the area where they won their first regatta victory as a team in the 52 Super Series in 2022. Nevertheless, 'Phoenix' tactician Caeron Dunn from New Zealand knows: "It will be tough to win here. And it's incredible how different it feels to sail with a few more boats - wow!"
The races of the Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week will be broadcast live daily via the 52 Super Series channels. The races start at 1 p.m., the broadcasts always a quarter of an hour beforehand. The programmes are presented and commented on by Andi Robertson with co-reporter Luise Wanser on the water.
Worth seeing review of the TP52 World Championship in Newport:
