52 Super Series - The Phoenix arrives in 2014

by 52 Super Series on 17 Jul 2013 The 2014 52 Super Series will welcome a new owner and his brand new build TP52 to the fleet. Botin Partners, designers of the 52 Super Series champions Azzurra, have confirmed today they have been commissioned to design a new TP52 for renowned Brazilian owner Eduardo de Souza Ramos.

The new boat, which will be a development of the successful Emirates Team New Zealand, Quantum Racing and Azzurra, is expected to make its debut at Palma Vela, Mallorca next Easter and will then compete in the 52 Super Series as well as other key European regattas. Mr de Souza Ramos has a long history in international yacht racing, most recently campaigning in the Soto 40 class. He previously commissioned and raced a successful IMS 46 design from Botin Partners (previously Botin/Carkeek).

'We are expecting this to be a very good, accomplished team. They know what they are about but they anticipate spending some of the first year learning the boat and the class. The owner is very enthusiastic about the 52 SUPER SERIES and the future of the class. He has been watching from the sidelines for many months and sees a circuit on which owners are having fun and the regattas are well organised and the class is well managed.' Says Adolfo Carrau, partner at Botin Partners

The crew is expected to be all Brazilian and selections are already under consideration.

The new TP52, Phoenix, will follow a correspondingly similar design and build schedule to that of the current 52 Super Series champion Azzurra. It is to be built at King Marine beside Valencia. The sails, rig and deck hardware package is under review presently. Botin Partners signed their agreement on Monday.

'We have two months now to work on the hull and appendages and thereafter the deck. The TP52 Class facilitates new boats for 2014 to be designed already to the key parameters of the 2015 TP52 Rule. In 2014 the new boat will race with some additional corrector weights to bring her to par with the existing boats. Then for 2015 all existing boats will speed up. We see no problems with the transitions.' Carrau continues.

'Within the package we have to anticipate where we see the TP52 class and the 52 Super Series developing in terms of events and fleet size. If the three or four existing most recent 52’s can be kept in the Mediterranean we see a very promising future. The commitment from the existing shareholders is great and with that in place I am optimistic we will see 10 to 12 private owners having a lot of fun. The class management is doing a good job with the organisation. We have a number of owners talking to us for about the future and anticipate several new boats for 2015.'

Mark Koetje, President of the 52 Super Series extends a welcome to the circuit: 'As a management group we are thrilled with the news Mr. de Souza Ramos and his team will be joining the 52 Super Series and applaud his recognition of the highest level of monohull racing available. We look forward to extending a warm welcome to the 52 Super Series to him and his 52 Super Series