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Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week Preview – Tough, Tougher, Toughest

From August 28 to September 1, 2024, the Puerto Portals 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week will welcome a record-breaking 13 teams from nine nations, including two new teams and a brand new boat. This event promises to be one of the most competitive regattas of the season.

Among the entries is Ergin Imre’s newly launched Provezza 11, as well as the French Team Teasing Machine and Brazil’s Criouala Team. With 13 boats representing various nations, the Puerto Portals 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week is poised to be the largest and strongest entry for several years.

After two exciting regattas in Newport, Rhode Island, the circuit returns to Europe and the familiar waters of the Bay of Palma. Currently, Tony Langley’s Gladiator team leads the circuit standings, having just been crowned Rolex TP52 World Champions. Each of the three previous regattas in the season had different winners: Provezza, Team Vayu, and recently, Gladiator. Observers anticipate that the return to Puerto Portals could see yet another team reach the top of the podium.

Dream Debut? ‘Dream On!’ – Says Cutler

The Turkish flagged Provezza team, having won the first regatta of the season in Palma, aspires to make their mark with their new Vrolijk design. Skipper John Cutler is cautious about expectations, noting the time it takes to get new boats up to speed. He hopes for a reliable performance from the new boat and acknowledges the challenge of competing against long-established teams.

Cutler reflected on the team’s week of training before the regatta, expressing excitement about returning to tactical racing on the Bay of Palma where they achieved their first circuit regatta victory in 2017. He emphasized that the focus would be on seeing how they measure up in this competitive field.

Circuit Leaders Gladiator Prepare for a Challenging Event

Tony Langley’s Gladiator team stands at the top of the circuit with three points ahead of Doug DeVos’ Quantum Racing and Takashi Okura’s Sled, who are both looking to catch up. Gladiator’s project manager, Feargal Finlay, recognizes the challenges posed by a 13-boat fleet compared to previous regattas with ten boats. He describes the Puerto Portals event as potentially the hardest of the season, pointing out the need to be ready for varying wind conditions and the importance of fleet management.

Finlay emphasized the importance of sticking to their successful processes despite the increased pressure and competition. He aims for the team to focus on each race individually and to maintain their confidence and performance.

High Hopes from Phoenix and Platoon Aviation

Hasso and Tina Plattner’s Phoenix team, previous winners at Puerto Portals, and Harm Müller Spreer’s Platoon Aviation team, who recently placed third at the Rolex TP52 World Championship, are also expected to be strong contenders. Tacticians Ed Baird and Vasco Vascotto both express enthusiasm for the racing challenges ahead.

Vascotto highlighted the historical significance of Puerto Portals for the TP52 class, noting that it is an ideal location for competitive sailing.

New Teams Enter the fray

The new teams are mainly focusing on gaining experience in this elite competition. Led by brothers Eduardo and Renato Plass, Brazil’s Crioula Team arrives with a proven track record in South America, competing with the former Provezza X. Tactician Sam Albrecht, a two-time Olympian, leads this diverse team composed of both professional and amateur sailors.

Eric De Turckheim, a well-known French offshore racer, brings his team into grand prix inshore racing with a former Gladiator vessel. Under the leadership of round-the-world racer Laurent Pages, the team looks to establish themselves in this distinguished sailing circuit.

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