When the 2026 52 SUPER SERIES season commences in under a month at Puerto Portals, Mallorca, three new teams will join the competition among 14 boats from 11 nations. This year’s regatta promises thrilling action on the Bay of Palma during the 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week from 4th to 9th May.
No Way Back
The Dutchowner-driver Pieter Heerema has acquired the championship-winning boat from the 2025 season, along with key assets from the American Magic Quantum Racing TP52 team. Racing under the name No Way Back, Heerema brings a seasoned crew, including tactician Terry Hutchinson and Italian navigator Michele Ivaldi, to the team. After completing two weeks of solid training in Palma, Heerema is enthusiastic yet realistic about the upcoming challenges, stating, “I believe the TP52 offers the highest potential among non-foiling boats. The level of competition here is incredibly high, and that presents a significant challenge for me as I return to the top level of racing after a break.”
Trinity Racing
Conversely, Joakim Sundberg, a young Swedish entrepreneur, is stepping into the sport’s elite. He recently launched Trinity Racing, a brand-new TP52 built by King Marine and designed by Botin. Despite being new to grand prix racing, Sundberg’s crew features notable talent including the Olympic sailor Johan Barne and veteran tactician Ed Baird. “Although we are rookies, we have solid veterans on board, and we aim to finish in the top half of the league by the end of the season,” Sundberg commented after their victory at the Trofeo Princesa Sofía training regatta.
Caballo Loco
The third newcomer, Caballo Loco, is a Brazilian team with four years of experience racing together. Co-owned by Mauro Dottori and Fabio Cotrim, their team practices helming duties by alternating events. Tactician Jorge Zarif, a Finn Gold Cup victor and three-time Olympian, leads the crew. After training in Valencia with other competitive teams, Cotrim expressed confidence in their abilities and mentioned their boat, Phoenix, is fast. He remarked, “We believe we have the potential to not finish last, but it’s all about learning and improving this season.”
In summary, the upcoming 52 SUPER SERIES season will showcase a blend of experienced and emerging talents in a highly competitive environment.
Entries
– Alegre (GBR) Andy Soriano
– Alkedo (ITA) Andrea Lacorte
– Alpha + (HKG) Shawn and Tina Kang
– Caballo Loco (BRA) Mauro Dottori / Fabio Cotrim
– Gladiator (GBR) Tony Langley
– Paprec (FRA) Jean-Luc Petithuguenin
– Platoon (GER) Harm Müller-Spreer
– Provezza (TUR) Ergin Imre
– No Way Back (NED) Pieter Heerema
– Sled (USA) Takashi Okura
– Teasing Machine (FRA) Eric de Turckheim
– Trinity (SWE) Joakim Sundberg
– Vayu (THA) Whitcraft Family
**Follow the action as it unfolds, using hashtags:** #52SuperSeries #Sailing #PuertoPortals
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