52 Super Series: Tied on points - "Platoon Aviation" second ahead of Puerto Portals

The British TP52 world champions were also the best in the fourth regatta of the 52 Super Series this season. In the thrilling final race, Tony Langley's "Gladiator" was able to overtake "Platoon Aviation", which was still leading in the morning, to take second place. Harm Müller-Spreer's "Platoon Aviation", previously the leader with a three-point lead over "Gladiator", crossed the finish line in fifth place. With equal points and in the tie-break, this was not quite enough for the boat flying the German flag to win the regatta.

The darned last race

Perhaps it was the self-confidence gained with the World Championship title in Newport, or maybe just the hint of better positioning when rounding the top mark in the final race: Tony Langley's "Gladiator" crew took their second win in a row in the bay of Palma de Mallorca. Things looked good for the owner and helmsman from the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein and his crew led by Italian tactician Vasco Vascotto for a long time in the decisive race.

After the decision, strategist Jordi Calafat described how the rollercoaster ride in the ninth and final race of the Puerto Portals Regatta of the 52 Super Series felt for the crew on the new "Botin" design "Platoon Aviation".

The Spaniard said: "Are we disappointed? Before we came here, we probably would have signed for second place straight away. But when you go into today with a three-point lead with just one race to go, round the top mark in third behind 'Gladiator', then lose track and get caught in a bit of traffic on the downwind course, a lot of boats were gybing at us and 'Gladiator' was just able to stay ahead of the pack, it becomes a tough race."

"Platoon Aviation" on the rise

However, Jordi Calafat also found conciliatory words after the initial disappointment: "In the end, this is definitely a step in the right direction when it comes to driving better and knowing the boat better. But it's still not enough and we still have a lot of work to do." The team only received its new boat under the German flag shortly before the first regatta of the season. Harm Müller-Spreer and the team battled their way through the familiarisation phase with the "Platoon Aviation" in its new configuration and new look.

The 2023 world champions and season winners had a weak start to the season in seventh place at the Palmavela. This was followed by a seventh place in the XS 52 Super Series in Newport and world championship bronze in the same area. The upward trend was clearly visible, but the success-hungry owner Harm Müller-Spreer was far from satisfied. With second place - equal on points behind the victorious 2017 Botin design "Gladiator" - he moved up another place at the Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week. The US team Quantum Racing powered by American Magic sailed to third place on the podium off Mallorca.

Plattner's "Phoenix" fourth off Puerto Portals

Tony Langley's "Gladiator" is also leading the season standings ahead of the season finale at the Valencia 52 Super Series Royal Cup with 152 points. They are followed by the Quantum team (160 points) of Doug DeVos, who is currently competing in the Louis Vuitton Cup off Barcelona alongside NYYC American Magic, and Harm Müller-Spreer's "Platoon Aviation" (180 points). Hasso and Tina Plattner's team on "Phoenix" (246 points) improved to tenth place in the season rankings with fourth place in Puerto Portals. The showdown of the 2024 season starts on 23 September in Valencia.

Click here for the results of the Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week.

Replay! Click here for the replay of the broadcast of the last race day and the decision: