2024 Big Final of the 52 SUPER SERIES in Valencia: Get Ready to Rock and Roll
Ready to rock and roll at the 2024 Big Final of the 52 SUPER SERIES in Valencia on 23-28 September 2024.
Two official practice races today proved how close and competitive the decisive final regatta of the 2024 52 SUPER SERIES season, the Valencia 52 SUPER SERIES Royal Cup is going to be.
In good winds, up to 18kts, there was no dominant, outstanding team and places changed through both warm up contests. Hasso and Tina Plattner’s Phoenix, winner of the last event of 2023, took the winning gun on the first race, Andy Soriano’s Alegre was first in the second single circuit practice.
There are several crew changes among the teams, some precipitated by athletes’ commitments to the Youth America’s Cup now on in Barcelona, others are trying different options in a quest to finish on a high note.
Can the Morgan Magic make the winning difference?
Unflappable, laid back Larson has years of experience in the TP52 and presently races on the US circuit on the boat which won the 2023 52 SUPER SERIES as Platoon.
An excited Larson smiled on the dock at Valencia’s King Marine where the 13 boat fleet is based this week: “It is amazing to be back with the 52 SUPER SERIES. I have always been so fond of Quantum Racing and Doug DeVos and the whole group. And I sailed with them quite a lot in the past and we won the worlds with Terry Hutchinson and the team. And this is a really nice team. It is easy for me to slot back in with the likes of Greg Gendel on the bow, with Warwick Fleury and James Dagg. Learning the dynamic with Victor (Diaz de Leon, tactician) and Nevin Snow (strategist) and Evelyn Hull is doing an amazing job as navigator, I have been picking that up these last two days. They are such talents Im sure it will be good. It is fun. You would say that with this team and how well this programme is developed I would say we should be able to give Gladiator a push. That is what we are here to do. I have been racing the 52s in the USA, sailing on the old Platoon and doing the ORC worlds on the small Vesper, so I have been doing enough.
Official Press Conference, Valencia pledges
Shortly before the official practice racing the Salón de Cristal of the Valencia City Hall hosted the official presentation of the Valencia 52 SUPER SERIES Royal Cup. The event was attended by Rocío Gil, Valencia City Council’s sports councillor, who highlighted the importance of this event as a spearhead to the local government team’s strategy to attract major international projects.
Among those present on the stage were Gladiator’s Tony Langley, and Guille Parada, Quantum Racing powered by American Magic‘s Víctor Díaz de León, Platoon Aviation’s Harm Müller-Spreer, the 52 SUPER SERIES’ Agustin Zulueta and Principal Race Officer María Torrijo.
Weather? Looking good Valencia…
The forecasts are promising for the week ahead, with westerly winds at 12-15knots for the opening races Tuesday. Racing starts from 1300hrs local time each day and is streamed live on the 52 SUPER SERIES networks.
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Oliver Hayes, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Southampton, has a profound love for the sea that has shaped his career. Holding a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Portsmouth, Oliver is celebrated for his compelling and insightful storytelling. His work vividly captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime heritage of the United Kingdom, making him a respected figure in the sailing community. When not writing, Oliver enjoys exploring the British Isles’ diverse coastlines and participating in local regattas, always on the lookout for his next nautical adventure.