52 Super Series: "Provezza" wins off Palma, new "Platoon" in seventh place at its premiere

The European opener of the 52 Super Series got off to a thrilling start off Palma de Mallorca. The victory of last year's season runner-up Erge Imre's "Provezza", who started the last three races in fifth place, showed just how close the leading international monohull series was right up to the final day. Her crew took third and fourth place before winning the seventh and final race and thus the event. A two-point lead over the US team Quantum Racing powered by American Magic was enough for a successful start to the 13th season. The American "Interlodge" sailed to third place in the Bay of Palma.

Learning season with new "Platoon"

The new "Platoon", on the other hand, did not yet get going as hoped. The team led by owner and helmsman Harm Müller-Spreer from the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein in Hamburg and Italian tactician Vasco Vascotto had to settle for seventh place in the first regatta of the season after finishing tenth on the second day of racing. After just a few weeks of preparation with the new Botin design built by King Marine, the 2023 world champions were not yet able to achieve the hoped-for performance gain and finish close to the podium.

There is still a lot to do in terms of calibration." Jordi Calafat

"We have to learn as quickly as possible. But I'm sure that we're capable of doing that as a team, that's part of the game," said Harm Müller-Spreer in Palma. The British sister ship "Alegre", which has the same hull shape and is also new, took sixth place at the start of the season. "Platoon" strategist and America's Cup winner Jordi Calafat said: "We have to learn to sail the boat well and that will determine our season to a certain extent. We have to learn what is good and what is bad and how to adjust the boat to the different conditions. There is still a lot to do in terms of calibration."

The Provezza Sailing Team, an experienced team on a tried and tested boat, came out on top in the Balearic Islands before Erge Imre also gets a new TP52 later in the season. "This victory is a great way to honour our boat 'P10'. We are extremely happy. We had some ups and downs this week, but I think we had the least downs. That made the difference in the end. Winning this last race was like a miracle, a dream come true."

52 Super Series: to the USA for the season highlight

Harry Melges IV said on behalf of the narrowly beaten Quantum Racing Team: "It's a bit disappointing that we missed out on victory by such a narrow margin. But second place is a very positive sign for us. We've improved a lot in the two weeks we've sailed together. We have some new, young sailors on the boat, so things are looking positive for us and we're looking forward to Newport." Hasso and Tina Plattner's crew on "Phoenix" did not compete before Palma, but will return to the series in the USA. Tina Plattner has already trained with tactician Ed Baird and crew.

After the starting signal in Europe, the TP52 racing fleet is now heading for America, where the next two regattas are on the programme: From 10 to 16 June, the XS 52 Super Series Newport Trophy will take place in partnership with the host New York Yacht Club. This will be followed by the highlight of the season from 15 to 20 July: the TP52 World Championship off Newport. The 52 Super Series will then return to Spain, where the Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week (27 August to 1 September) and the Valencia 52 Super Series Royal Cup (23 to 28 August) will bring the season to a close.

Click here for the results of the season opener for Palma.

Thrilling TP52 action - here are the highlights from the final day in Palma: