52 Super Series: ‘Platoon Aviation’ crew within touching distance of the season’s title

It was, above all, Friday’s upward trend that saw Harm Müller-Spreer and his crew on “Platoon Aviation” secure their now very strong starting position for the final day of the 15th season of the 52 Super Series. Having started the penultimate day in 13th place, the team led by owner, helmsman and tactician Vasco Vascotto then improved significantly with finishes of 5th and 4th.

In the season finale of the 52 Super Series: ‘Sled’ goes on the attack, ‘Platoon Aviation’ fends it off

Even more than the thrilling battle for the podium at the Valencia event, all eyes in Spain are on the fight for the season title: the A duel between “Platoon Aviation” and the US yacht “Sled”. “Platoon Aviation” was started the race in Valencia with an eleven-point lead over “Sled”, who were second in the season’s standings. Harm Müller-Spreer and his team have now extended their lead to 20 points ahead of the final day of the 15th season of the 52 Super Series.

​This means the “Platoon Aviation” crew have at least one hand on the trophy, because although the “Sled” team launched a furious attack on the German-flagged boat on Friday, their match-race tactics at the start only proved effective in the first of the three races: In that race, “Sled” went on to finish eleventh in the record field of 16 TP boats, whilst “Platoon Aviation” could not manage better than 13th place.

​As a result, “Sled” had initially managed to reduce “Platoon Aviation”’s lead in the battle for the season title from two to ten points. In the next two races on Friday, however, “Platoon Aviation” staged a strong comeback with fifth and fourth places, whilst “Sled” could not manage better than eighth and eleventh.

One poor race and two strong ones for “Platoon Aviation”

​“Platoon Aviation” tactician Vasco Vascotto said: “Something completely unexpected happened at the first start: a boat practically attacked us, instead of focusing on its own race. But the second and third races went well. And I’m happy because we held our own against some of the true legends of the sport. I’m very proud of our lads.”

“‘Sled’ has, so to speak, fired a few shots from its cannon. And we’ve held our ground.” Vasco Vascotto

The final and decisive races will begin on 10 October with the warning signal at 1.30 pm and can be watched live here. The latest possible start time is 3.30 pm. This timeframe suggests that a maximum of two races will be possible. If “Platoon Aviation” can finish the first Saturday race ahead of “Sled”, the 52 Super Series season title will go, for the second time since 2023, to the league’s best “owner/driver” from the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein in Hamburg: Harm Müller-Spreer.

If no race, or only one race, can be held on the final day, the same applies. However, if “Sled” puts in a top performance whilst “Platoon Aviation” stumbles, things could get exciting again should a second race take place. ​“Platoon Aviation” tactician Vasco Vascotto said ahead of Saturday’s showdown: “It could still go either way, but I think Harm and the lads on board ‘Platoon Aviation’ have done a fantastic job of keeping their cool and waiting for the right moment.”

A double victory celebration on the cards at the 52 Super Series final in Valencia

Despite a difficult starting position, the “Sled” team looked determined as they headed into the decider. Mainsail trimmer Don Cowie said: “Well, we provided a bit of excitement and action today, and things went well at times. We’re 20 points behind, so we want to close that gap and get back on the podium – that would mean we’ve been on the podium at four out of five events this season.”

In the battle for victory at the Valencia event, after seven races, the Italian “Alkedo Cetilar” was in the lead with 34 points, ahead of the Dutch “No Way Back” (35 points) and “Platoon Aviation” (40 points). “Paprec” and “Sled” were lying in wait in fourth and fifth place respectively, both on 49 points, ahead of the final sprint. This Saturday afternoon, there will be double cause for celebration in Valencia: the event winners and the season champions will be crowned.

Replay! Click here to watch the replays of the three Friday races ahead of the decider on 10 October: