The Puerto Portals 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week kicked off with two exciting practice races in the Bay of Palma, Mallorca, showcasing the fierce competition that lies ahead. Tony Langley’s Gladiator and Doug DeVos’ American Magic Quantum Racing took the early wins, setting the stage for a thrilling week of sailing.
In the first race, Gladiator led from the start, demonstrating strong performance and strategy. Meanwhile, American Magic secured the second race victory, followed closely by Ergin Imre’s Provezza. The contrasting conditions of a gentle 7 to 9 knots breeze marked a notable shift from the intense conditions seen at the recent Rolex TP52 World Championship in Cascais, Portugal, highlighting the unpredictability of the fleet’s dynamics this week.
Guillermo Parada, tactician for Gladiator and defending champion, emphasized the team’s commitment to defend their title while acknowledging the increased competition. With eight to nine boats capable of clinching victories, Parada noted the importance of consistency and avoiding poor results to keep their championship hopes alive.
A notable highlight of the event is the debut of Elvira Llabrés, racing for the Thai team Vayu as navigator. Llabrés, who has an impressive background with America’s Cup teams, expressed her excitement about racing on home waters and the camaraderie within the Vayu team. She also praised the growing representation of women in the circuit, sharing the navigator role with Sara Stone from American Magic.
The social scene buzzed with excitement as New Zealand model and actress Rachel Hunter joined Shawn and Tina Kang aboard their boat Alpha+, sharing her enthusiasm for sailing and the exhilarating experience on the water.
This week’s lineup is packed with talent, featuring teams like Alegre (GBR), Alkedo Vitamina (ITA), Paprec (FRA), and many more, all vying for the title in the 52 SUPER SERIES.
As the standings currently show after three events, American Magic Quantum Racing leads with 93 points, followed by Sled (122 points) and Paprec (129.5 points). The competition is fierce, with past winners including Gladiator and Phoenix, adding to the legacy of excellence at Puerto Portals.
Stay tuned for daily highlights as the action unfolds!
52 SUPER SERIES – Pure Performance
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