Please select your home edition
Edition
Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design

Sporty start to Pallas Capital TP52 Gold Cup Finale

by Nic Douglass 18 May 2024 01:32 PDT 18-19 May 2024

The finale of the Pallas Capital TP52 Gold Cup started in sporty conditions with sensational racing from all eleven entrants, with reports of over 25 knots of boat speed, in a blustery southerly at times blowing over 30 knots on Pittwater.

David Doherty's Matador took all three wins on TPR to lead that series overall, the first race was a dead heat on IRC between Marcus Blackmore's Hooligan and Matador, with Matador taking the remaining two races of the day.

Craig Neil's Quest is in second on TPR, with Geoff Boettcher's Secret Men's Business (SMB) in third.

"It was an awesome day", said Craig Neil, who is also the TP52 Australia Class President.

"It was so good. There was a lot of breeze and we had some amazing rides on beautiful Pittwater. Nice flattish water but really lots of gusts and I think we saw nearly 33 knots at one point, our boat speed hit 26 knots on most of the runs so it was pretty good and exciting in a small course. It's just so competitive," he exclaimed.

On IRC, it is SMB, out of the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia in second, with Gordon Ketelbey's Zen in third place.

"The excitement! The close proximity of all the boats coming together at marks and everything. You can't beat that. It's fantastic racing", commented an elated Boettcher.

"It was excellent. All the boys were working their butts off all the way around the course, and to do that and all come out together at the end, how good is that! It's really good. No one realises how difficult it is", revealed Boettcher.

"Lots of edgy moments I think for everyone, it was one of those days. It was great", smiled Neil.

Boettcher was loving the conditions, even though it was marginal at times.

"I looked forward once, and all I saw was people, and the whole front of the boat was underwater. It was just all this white water and everyone was up to their waist. We are missing a boat here. But it all came good!" he finished.

While some opted not to hoist the kite at times, that wasn't the case for Quest.

"Well, why not, you're here, you only live once", said Neil.

"A few boats unfortunately had a bit of trouble today, there was a bit of breakage which isn't good but otherwise I think everyone had a great day, but it was certainly a very challenging day, not an easy one," he concluded.

Michael Martin's Frantic tore a spinnaker in Race 1 but still went on to finish every race, they have been named the "Crowd Favourite" of the fleet. Peter White's First Light will be out tomorrow with a broken forestay, Koa broke their jib foil during race two and retired for the remainder of the day but will be back for day two, while Denali opted to retire during race one of the series to be ready for tomorrow.

Racing continues from 0955 with a scheduled three races tomorrow to complete the 2024 Pallas Capital TP52 Gold Cup. Bragging rights are up for grabs throughout the fleet, with the minor placings on TPR and IRC still tight, and of course places across the line never given away lightly.

TPR Results available here.

IRC Results available here.

For more head to the TP52Aus Facebook page.

Thanks to sponsors Pallas Capital and Zhik for their support.

More about the TPR rule.

Full crew lists and more information on the TP52 Aus Website.

Related Articles

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez preview
Looking ahead to the 27th edition The elegance of the Classics, the power of the Moderns, the majesty of the Maxis. This dreamlike combination, a legacy of the Nioulargue, will once again come together in the stunning setting of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez from September 27 to October 5. Posted on 22 Jun
Rolex TP52 World Championship preview
The pinnacle event of the 52 SUPER SERIES will be held at Cascais The annual Rolex TP52 World Championship represents the top tier of monohull grand prix sailing. Held as the pinnacle event of the 52 SUPER SERIES, of which Rolex is also Official Timepiece, the regatta is one of the most revered in the sport. Posted on 19 Jun
Sailing with Matt Cornwell
From youth sailing in Lymington to the America's Cup and TP52 Worlds From youth sailing in Lymington to the America's Cup and TP52 Worlds, Matt's journey has been shaped by resilience, big moments, and life at the bow. We caught up with him to talk favourite races and what he'd be doing if he weren't a sailor. Posted on 13 Jun
Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup overall
American Magic Quantum Racing are Galician royalty, winning 2nd event of 2025 with a race to spare. Delivering an impressively consistent series across 10 races sailed in broad range of weather conditions Doug DeVos's US flagged crew of American Magic Quantum Racing won the second regatta of the 2025 season to lift the prestigious Royal Cup. Posted on 7 Jun
Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Day 4
Hutchinson adding the missing element as American Magic Quantum Racing close in on title Now holding a 13-points lead after today's two races contested at the Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup, American Magic Quantum Racing crew are on the cusp of completing their first 52 SUPER SERIES regatta win since victory in Barcelona in September 2022. Posted on 6 Jun
Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Day 3
Platoon Aviation turn up the heat but don't dent American Magic Quantum Racing's lead After a disappointing first regatta of the season when they finished in an uncharacteristic last position in Saint-Tropez, the fortunes of the German flagged 2023 52 SUPER SERIES overall champions Platoon Aviation seem to have turned for the better. Posted on 5 Jun
Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Day 2
American Magic Quantum Racing extend their lead after challenging light winds day Patience, concentration, risk management and perhaps a highly developed sixth sense of the subtle changes in the light breezes, were among the key assets shared by the crews which did best today, the second racing day. Posted on 4 Jun
Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Day 1
Top level consistency gives 2024 champions a strong start in Baiona The 2024 overall circuit champions, Doug DeVos' American Magic Quantum Racing, lead the GALICIA 52 SUPER SERIES ROYAL CUP after two good races on the beautiful but challenging race area off Baiona on the NW corner. Posted on 3 Jun
Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup practice day
Breezy, beautiful Baiona finds favour again with TP52 teams Takashi Okura's Sled team today laid down a marker on the beautiful waters off Baiona, NW Spain as the top performers over the two official practice races sailed today on the eve of the Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup. Posted on 2 Jun
The call of the mighty
See the words Admiral's Cup and you immediately think approachable, real, hardcore action See the words Admiral's Cup and you immediately think approachable, real, hardcore action, braving the elements, and glory for the victorious. As an Australian, you have King Louie (the late Lou Abrahams), and the late Sir Jim Hardy as the poster boys. Posted on 1 Jun
Switch One DesignRooster 2025RS Sailing 2021 - FOOTER