TP52 Worlds - Azzurra are proud winners, Platoon second

by Giuliano Luzzatto on 19 Jul 2015 2015 TP52 World Championship - The TP52 that is the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda's sporting symbol has won the 52 World Championship, third event in the 52 Super Series - where the most competitive sailing class races - held in the waters off Majorca. Azzurra's current winning streak is unprecedented in this event.

Azzurra had mathematically already won the 52 World Championship going into the last race in event before the conclusion. This thanks to her consistent results, always in the leading positions at the head of the fleet of twelve competing teams many of which include former Olympic and America's Cup sailors.

Azzurra started the day with a 14 point advantage over the second placed boat, Quantum Racing. Her fifth place finish just ahead of Quantum that placed sixth meant she was sure to win the Championship. As if to prove her state of grace, Azzurra got a sixth place in the last race when she had already technically won the title. This will give her an even greater advantage over her competitors in the upcoming events in the 52 Super Series as the Puerto Portals event was the third in the Series. Final results of the Series will be calculated at the end of the season based on performance overall in the single events.

Guillermo Parada, skipper: 'It's a sweet moment for us. We had a dream week, one of those that you remember for a long time because everything worked perfectly. The sailing team, the shore team, our sail makers, one of whom lost his mother at the beginning of the week. We wanted to dedicate this regatta to him. I think that aside from that everything worked perfectly. The team worked perfectly: every tack, every gybe, every drop, every hoist was perfect and obviously Vasco did an excellent job and got us in a good position every time against the fleet. I think the result speaks for itself and we are really, really happy and proud because it was the whole package that worked well this week. We all deserve to be world champions. We have been waiting six years to get this victory again because the last time was 2009. We lost it twice for one point so we know how hard it is to loose and we have to celebrate properly and win again.'

Alberto Roemmers, owner: 'I'm very proud of this team that has shown what it's worth here at the 52 World Championships. After my first win in this event helming Matador today I taste victory again aboard Azzurra. This could really be our season, we have won three events out of four so far and I don't think we're going to stop now.'

Grant Loretz, trimmer: 'It has been a great week and a great experience sailing with the Azzurra team. I first sailed with the Argentinian guys on the Alexia a long time ago in 1998 so I've known them for all that time competing against them and this year I've joined them. We've sailed really, really well this week against some tough competition. I think the standard in the fleet has moved up so it was very difficult to win races. The boys have tried really hard and we've sailed consistently. We have a nice points lead, but we'll keep fighting.'

Vasco Vascotto tactician: 'I'm proud to be part of this group that has brought Azzurra to her 52 World Championship win. In the past it has always slipped away from us. This team has been through some tough times but has always stayed together. Today we are gathering the fruits of our labours. I prefer to celebrate this victory as the Azzurra team's rather than consider it my 25th title.'

52 World Championship Final Ranking

1.Azzurra, ITA (Pablo and Alberto Roemmers ARG) (2,7,2,3,2,1,5,3,5,6) 36pts
2.Platoon, GER (Harm Müller-Spreer GER) (1,5,6,12,8,3,1,6,7,1) 50pts
3.Provezza, TUR (Ergin Imre TUR) (11,6,1,1,10,7,6,8,1,5) 56pts
4.Alegre, GBR (Andres Soriano USA) (7,2,7,10,1,6,3,10,2,8) 56pts
5.Rán Racing, SWE (Niklas Zennström SWE) (5,4,5,6,11,10,2,1,10,2) 56pts
6.Quantum Racing, USA (Doug DeVos USA) (3,11,3,9,3,4,4,2,6,12) 57pts
7.Sled, USA (Takashi Okura JPN) (6,1,12,7,7,8,7,4,3,3) 58pts
8.Bronenosec, RUS (Vladimir Liubomirov RUS) (9,3,10,2,5,2,10,5,11,11) 68pts
9.Phoenix, BRA, (Eduardo de Souza Ramos BRA) (4,12,4,4,4,12,9,9,9,4) 71pts
10.Paprec FRA (Jean-Luc Petithuguenin FRA) (10,9,11,8,9,5,12,12,4,9) 89pts
11.Gladiator, GBR (Tony Langley GBR) (DNF/13,10,9,5,6,11,8,11,12,7) 92pts
12.Xio/Hurakan, ITA (Marco Serafini ITA) (8,8,8,11,12,9,11,7,8,10) 92pts

52 Super Series Season Rankings Overall after three events

1 Azzurra, ITA 110pts
2 Sled, USA 144pts
3 Quantum Racing, USA 148pts
4 Bronenosec, RUS 151pts
5 Alegre, GBR 155pts
6 Provezza, TUR 161pts
8 Platoon, GER 168pts
7 Rán Racing, SWE 171pts
9 Gladiator, GBR 230pts
10 Paprec FRA 242pts
11 Xio/Hurakan, ITA 265pts
12 Interlodge, USA 279pts
13 Phoenix, BRA 284pts