Intense Competition at Puerto Portals: 13 Boats Set Sail for 52 Super Series Sailing Week
Excitement Builds for Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week with 13 Competing Boats
28 August – 1 September 2024
As Puerto Portals 52 SUPER SERIES begins, the competition is heating up with two different teams securing victories in the official practice races. Hasso and Tina Plattner’s Phoenix and Andy Soriano’s Alegre both showcased their speed and tactical prowess, setting the tone for an exciting week ahead.
Today’s practice sessions were crucial for the two new teams, the French Teasing Machine and Brazil’s Crioula Team, as they prepared for the competitive environment they’ll face starting tomorrow.
Another key participant, Ergin Imre’s Provezza, took the opportunity to familiarize their crew with a brand new boat, the latest in a series for the popular Turkish owner.
All 13 TP52 teams, representing nine nations, had a chance to adjust to the anticipated light to moderate wind conditions expected over the opening days of what is the penultimate event of the season. The increase to a larger fleet size with the introduction of two new teams added a new layer of complexity to the racing.
With increased competition comes new challenges…
In today’s races, the Phoenix team demonstrated their potential with a strong performance, indicating they could be returning to form after winning the last regatta held here in Puerto Portals in July 2022. Kiwi strategist Cameron Dunn remarked on the challenges of racing in a larger fleet, emphasizing the importance of avoiding congestion and maintaining speed.
“It is amazing how different it feels with a couple more boats. Getting caught up in the middle of the fleet in bad air is very expensive, you get punished,” Dunn explained. He also shared confidence in their competitiveness, noting previous successes on this course.
Provezza’s New Boat Performance
The new Provezza XI was also a strong contender in both practice races. Skipper John Cutler shared insights on the team’s learning process and their focus on optimizing the boat’s performance across various conditions. “We are learning a lot every time we go out,” Cutler stated, expressing eagerness to test the new vessel in a variety of wind conditions.
New Teams Find Their Footing
The two new entrants in the competition made a good impression, remaining competitive throughout the practice races. Laurent Pages, the tactician from Teasing Machine, expressed satisfaction with their performance after limited sailing time, highlighting their efforts in adjusting and learning the race dynamics.
From Team Crioula, tactician Sam Albrecht shared his excitement about racing amongst the skilled fleet, focusing on continuous improvement and teamwork.
The French Paprec team honored the memory of their recently departed spinnaker trimmer, Olivier Camebourg, with a floral tribute on the water.
The races during Puerto Portals 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week will be streamed live across 52 SUPER SERIES digital channels daily, with racing scheduled to commence at 1300hrs. The stream will begin 15 minutes prior to the first race of the day.
Participating Teams:
- ALPHA+ (HKG), Shawn & Tina Kang
- ALEGRE (GBR), Andy Soriano
- CRIOULA (BRA), Eduardo & Renato Plass
- GLADIATOR (GBR), Tony Langley
- INTERLODGE (USA), Austin & Gwen Fragomen
- PAPREC (FRA), Jean-Luc Pethuguenin
- PHOENIX (RSA), Hasso & Tina Plattner
- PLATOON AVIATION (GER), Harm Müller-Spreer
- PROVEZZA (TUR), Ergin Imre
- QUANTUM RACING POWERED BY AMERICAN MAGIC (USA), Doug DeVos
- SLED (USA), Takashi Okura
- TEASING MACHINE (FRA), Eric De Turckheim
- VAYU (THA), Whitcraft Family
View the 2024 Circuit Standings
Luca Moretti, an accomplished sailor and marine journalist from Genoa, Italy, has a lifelong passion for the sea that has defined his career. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Genoa, Luca is celebrated for his vivid and insightful storytelling. His work captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime traditions of Europe, making him a well-respected voice in the sailing community. When he’s not writing, Luca can be found exploring the Mediterranean’s picturesque coastlines and competing in regattas, always seeking new adventures on the open water.