Platoon Aviation, led by Harm Müller-Spreer, clinched the 2026 52 SUPER SERIES championship in Valencia, Spain. The final event, the 52 SUPER SERIES Valencia Sailing Week, concluded with Platoon securing a commanding victory after a season filled with intense competition.
The championship was determined in a light sea breeze during the last race. Starting the week with an 11-point lead, the Platoon team expanded this advantage to a 30-point margin by the end of the event. This victory is particularly significant given the previous year’s nail-biting finish, where they narrowly won against Ergin Imre’s Provezza.
Despite early successes, including wins at the Rolex TP52 World Championship, Takashi Okura’s Sled struggled to maintain their momentum in Valencia’s challenging conditions. Their earlier season included two regatta wins but faltered as they faced gear failures and fierce competition.
Highlighting their season, Platoon secured podium finishes at four different regattas, including a win at the Royal Cup. Their team, which features seasoned sailors such as Jordi Calafat and Juan Vila, celebrated their achievements amidst a record fleet of 16 boats.
Müller-Spreer expressed his pride in overcoming the challenges posed by a competitive field, stating, “Winning in a fleet like this against all these great professionals is a significant honour. It has been a long season with ups and downs, but we are thrilled to finish at the top.”
Vasco Vascotto, the tactician for Platoon, celebrated the victory on his 57th birthday, remarking on the team’s performance and the growth of their new boat. The team, having made crucial updates, is now among the fastest in the fleet.
Meanwhile, the Sled team, despite finishing second overall for the season, reflected on their consistent performance throughout the year. Project manager Don Cowie noted their achievements, including winning the world championship and maintaining a strong presence on the podium across multiple regattas.
Andrea Lacorte’s Alkedo Cetilar team achieved their goal of finishing on the season podium, clinching third overall and winning the Valencia regatta by securing a second place in the final race.
The final results for the 52 SUPER SERIES Valencia Sailing Week were:
1. Alkedo Cetilar (ITA), Andrea Lacorte, 10+1+7+1+1+12+2+2 = 36
2. No Way Back (NED), Pieter Heerema, 4+7+13+3+3+4+1+8 = 43
3. Platoon Aviation (GER), Harm Müller-Spreer, 6+6+1+5+13+5+4+5 = 45
In the overall standings for the 2026 season:
1. Platoon Aviation (GER), Harm Müller-Spreer, 51+53+33+34+45 = 216
2. Sled (JPN), Takashi Okura, 42+47+31+62+64 = 246
3. Alkedo Cetilar (ITA), Andrea Lacorte, 58+56+26+77+36 = 253
The season has set the stage for an exciting 2027, with teams vying for victory in the upcoming regattas.
52 SUPER SERIES – Pure Performance
www.52superseries.com
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