2019 Rolex TP52 World Championship - Preview

Rolex TP52 World Championship Cascais 2018 © Max Ranchi

Rolex is marking the third year of its partnership as Official Timepiece of the 52 Super Series and Title Sponsor of its pinnacle annual event, the Rolex TP52 World Championship.

Following last year's memorable gathering in Cascais, Portugal, the host venue for the 2019 edition from 25-29 August is Puerto Portals on the island of Mallorca, Spain. The relationship is one of the more recent in Rolex's six-decade association with the sport of yachting, with the brand's support for grand prix racing adding lustre to an impressive calendar of international sailing events.

The Rolex TP52 World Championship, and the associated season-long series, showcase the very best in inshore yacht racing, demanding benchmark levels of human and technical performance. Rolex Testimonee Robert Scheidt, a five-time Olympic medallist and twice Rolex World Sailor of the Year, is a former participant. For him, the involvement of Rolex in such a high-calibre contest is a natural fit: "Rolex stands for precision and excellence in everything it does. These are the characteristics found in the most successful TP52 crews, where teamwork and timing are essential elements. And, because Rolex reflects the values of the TP52 Class, it is the perfect partner, bringing an authenticity to the competition through its long-standing commitment to the sport."

A natural and supportive partner

Rolex has always associated with activities driven by passion, excellence, precision and team spirit. It naturally gravitated towards the elite world of yachting six decades ago and today supports the most prestigious clubs, races and regattas. The brand is Title Sponsor of 15 major international events - from leading offshore races, such as the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, to grand prix competition at the Rolex TP52 World Championship and spectacular gatherings at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup. It also supports the exciting new SailGP series, where national teams race in supercharged F50 catamarans on some of the world's most famous harbours. Rolex's partnerships with the likes of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, New York Yacht Club and Royal Yacht Squadron are the foundation of its enduring relationship with this dynamic sport.

The very best

The TP52 are powerful carbon-fibre boats, representing the highest standards of monohull yacht design and build techniques, and are crewed by some of the world's finest sailors. "The Rolex TP52 World Championship and the 52 Super Series have the ambition to be the best sailing platforms in the world," explains Agustin Zulueta, CEO of the 52 Super Series. "Having Rolex, with its 60 years of history in the sport, as a main partner and title sponsor is one of the milestones in achieving our aims."

Racing closely matched yachts means the talent and expertise of the individuals who prepare and crew the boats are critical. Like the art of fine watchmaking, every process needs to be perfectly executed to achieve success.

Eleven teams will contest the title over five days of pulsating action, with a maximum of 10 races. The fleet includes the past five winners of the world crown and the three leading crews from the 2018 World Championship.

The defending champion is Doug DeVos's United States entry, Quantum Racing, for whom former Rolex World Sailor of the Year Ed Baird is the tactician. Among their opponents are two former world champions: Harm Müller-Spreer's Platoon from Germany and Alberto and Pablo Roemmers' Azzurra, from Italy, last year's runner-up. Andy Soriano's British-flagged Alegre finished third in Cascais, while Ergin Imre's Turkish entry Provezza has made an impressive start to the 2019 season after three events.

Rolex's support for the Rolex TP52 World Championship stems from the brand's perpetual commitment to excellence in all its activities.

www.52superseries.com/events/2019/eu/rolex-tp52-world-championship-puerto-portals-2019