Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week: A Premier Event in Competitive Yachting
Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week – Day 3
28 August – 1 September 2024
Keeping the Pressure On: Gladiator Emerges Victorious
Tony Langley’s Gladiator team secured a pivotal victory in the only race held on Day 3 of the Puerto Portals 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week. This win allowed them to maintain the pressure on event leaders Harm Müller-Spreer’s Platoon Aviation, who hold a solid nine-point lead at the midpoint of the regatta. Doug DeVos’s Quantum Racing, backed by American Magic, finished in third place.
The race began with a masterful pin end start orchestrated by helm Guille Parada and the experienced team from Gladiator. Their strategic choice of the left side of the course paid off, enabling them to cross the fleet midway up the first beat. From that point, the British team exerted control over Race 5, establishing a comfortable lead ahead of their American competitors. While Platoon Aviation lost some ground during the second loop, they remain on track to capture their first regatta win since claiming the 2023 Rolex TP52 World Championship title in Barcelona last year.
“The left side was advantageous,” explained Bruno Zirilli, navigator for Gladiator. “The gradient wind came in from the left, wrapping around the cape and meeting the southerly breeze. This created a typical Xaloc breeze of about 160 degrees. While some teams opted for the right side, which can be strong in the afternoon, the left provided consistent advantages from the onset. Guille executed our strategy perfectly.”
Quantum Racing, powered by American Magic, earned their second-place finish through strong starts and solid positioning within the 13-boat fleet. Despite their challenges this season, they are determined to secure a regatta win. Strategist Nevin Snow remarked, “We focused on the left side of the course, which consistently proved dominant throughout the day. The strategy was relatively straightforward.”
Vasco Vascotto, tactician for the leaders Platoon Aviation, expressed satisfaction with their performance thus far but recognized the challenges ahead. “So far, we are doing well. Competing in a fleet of 13 boats poses a risk of miscalculation. However, our team is functioning effectively, and Harm is becoming familiar with the boat, which is enhancing our consistency. Although we lost a position during the downwind leg with Gladiator, we are gradually understanding the boat better.”
Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week Standings after Day 3:
1. PLATOON AVIATION (GER), Harm Müller-Spreer, 1+2+4+1+3 = 11pts
2. GLADIATOR (GBR), Tony Langley, 3+1+10+5+1 = 20pts
3. QUANTUM RACING POWERED BY AMERICAN MAGIC (USA), Doug DeVos, 4+6+3+12+2 = 27pts
4. INTERLODGE (USA), Austin & Gwen Fragomen, 8+3+9+3+4 = 27pts
5. PAPREC (FRA), Jean-Luc Pethuguenin, 6+8+2+4+8 = 28pts
6. PHOENIX (RSA), Hasso & Tina Plattner, 11+7+1+6+9 = 34pts
7. VAYU (THA), Whitcraft Family, 9+5+11+9+5 = 39pts
8. PROVEZZA (TUR), Ergin Imre, 7+13+12+2+6 = 40pts
9. ALPHA+ (HKG), Shawn & Tina Kang, 12+4+7+13+7 = 43pts
10. SLED (USA), Takashi Okura, 5+9+8+11+10 = 43pts
11. ALEGRE (GBR), Andy Soriano, 10+10+5+8+12 = 45pts
12. CRIOULA (BRA), Eduardo & Renato Plass, 2+12+13+7+13 = 45pts
13. TEASING MACHINE (FRA), Eric De Turckheim, 13+11+6+10+11 = 51pts
Ava Thompson, a skilled sailor and marine journalist from Auckland, has developed a deep connection to the ocean that guides her work. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Auckland, Ava is known for her engaging and detailed storytelling. Her writing brings to life the thrill of sailing and the unique maritime culture of New Zealand, earning her recognition in the sailing community. Outside of her journalism, Ava enjoys exploring the rugged coastlines of New Zealand and competing in local regattas, always in search of her next seafaring adventure.