Special times on eve of Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week

2018 Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week © Nico Martinez

After winning the Official Practice Race, today Quantum Racing proved they are probably the form team to beat on the Bay of Palma when the Puerto Portals 52 Super Series starts Tuesday.

With owner driver Doug DeVos back on the helm at his first regatta since June's Zadar Royal Cup, Quantum Racing led off the start line and could not be caught in the light sea breeze conditions.

"We have Doug steering now for the rest of the season and so we pick up from what we learned in Zadar. We had great de-briefs after that regatta and the main thing is starting. We need to be putting Doug in a good spot to execute and not put him positions of risk, positions where he is compromised. But you cannot force it. We will keep refining it and keep perfecting it. He brings a great energy to the boat and it is exciting to have him with us," explains Terry Hutchinson.

Puerto Portals is not only popular for the chic summer marina lifestyle ashore and the self contained sailor lounge area, but being mid summer in the Balearics, it has become increasingly popular with sailors' families too. Quantum Racing's tactician Terry Hutchinson was on cloud 9 to have his 14 year old son Aiden on board as guest today.

"It's better than winning," smiled Hutchinson. "The families with all these teams on the 52 Super Series make such a huge commitment to the circuit, to the boats, to the teams. For us to chase the dream they have to make some big sacrifices, so to have him here this week, to experience it and see some of the racing is awesome. It is a special thing."

Making his 52 Super Series debut today on Tony Langley's Gladiator was New Zealand's America's Cup winner and Olympic 49er champion turned Volvo Racer, Peter Burling, sailing as tactician. Gladiator was very much in the mix today, crossing fifth with young Feargal Finlay deputising on the helm before Langley arrives tonight.

Burling comments:

"It is a bit different to what I've been doing but it is nice to come in and have a look at the boats and race in the 52 Super Series, I have a lot of friends on other boats and it is such a competitive circuit, it is nice to come up and do tactics for the Gladiator. Today was light but it was great to get a race in, which was good for people like me who have not done much of this. I guess the races will not be too unlike the in-ports in the Volvo. I have not done too much similar to this, so it will be nice to fly under the radar a bit and see how we get on."

Luna Rossa's America's Cup winner, strategist, Jimmy Spithill will not sail this week due to a recurring problem with his elbow which has required him to fly from here directly to his doctor in the USA. Tactician Vasco Vascotto will work without a strategist this week.

Luna Rossa helm Francesco Bruni, who won the Melges 40 class on these same waters at Copa del Rey two weeks ago says:

"It is a pity not to have Jimmy this week. Because it is a recurrence of a problem that is why he was worried and flew straight to the USA to see his personal doctor. We lose an important part of our team, but we have good hands on the chase boat. Michele Cannoni moves to the runners and has great mechanical skills there. Vasco knows the bay very well. Losing Jimmy is not easy for the team but I think we will be OK."

State-of-the-art boat tracking technology will allow 52 Super Series fans to follow their favourite teams at the Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week. Streaming is available via the 52 Super Series App, and is paired with expert commentary both on and off the water. All shows start 15-minutes before racing is due to start.

Entries:

Alegre – Andy Soriano (USA/GBR), 2018 Botin
Azzurra – Roemmers Family (ARG/ITA), 2018 Botin
Gladiator – Tony Langley (GBR), 2017 Botin
Luna Rossa – Patrizio Bertelli (ITA), 2018 Botin
Onda – Eduardo de Souza Ramos (BRA), 2018 Botin
Phoenix – Hasso/Tina Plattner (RSA), 2018 Botin
Platoon – Harm Müller-Spreer (GER), 2018 Vrolijk
Provezza – Ergin Imre (TUR), 2018 Vrolijk
Quantum Racing – Racing Doug DeVos (USA), 2018 Botin
Sled – Takashi Okura (USA), 2018 Botin

2018 52 Super Series Overall Standings After Three Events:

1. Quantum Racing (USA) (Doug DeVos) 96 p.
2. Sled (USA) (Takashi Okura) 115 p.
3. Azzurra (ARG/ITA) (Alberto and Pablo Roemmers) 125 p.
4. Luna Rossa (ITA) (Patrizio Bertelli) 126 p
5. Platoon (GER) (Harm Müller-Spreer) 129 p.
6. Alegre (USA/GBR) (Andrés Soriano) 133 p.
7. Phoenix (RSA) (Hasso/Tina Plattner) 147p.
8. Provezza (TUR) (Ergin Imre) 163 p.
9. Onda (BRA) (Eduardo de Souza Ramos) 184 p.
10. Gladiator (GBR) (Tony Langley) 218 p.