Sled claims Rolex TP52 World Championship 2026
by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda 20 Jun 11:51 PDT
15-20 June 2026
The start of the final race of the Rolex TP52 World Championship © Kurt Arrigo / Rolex
Sled has been crowned the winner of the 2026 Rolex TP52 World Championship after nine fiercely contested races.
Helmed by Australian Adam Beashel, standing in for Japanese owner Takashi Okura, Sled's tactical calls were made by Italian Checco Bruni, with six-time America's Cup winner Murray Jones of New Zealand in the role of strategist. Second place in Porto Cervo went to Joakim Sundberg's Swedish entry Trinity Racing, making their debut in the 52 SUPER SERIES circuit this season and competing in their first world championship, with Ed Baird on tactics. Third place went to Harm Müller-Spreer's Platoon Aviation, with Vasco Vascotto calling tactics and Olympic champion Jordi Calafat in the role of strategist. It was a disappointing day for Hong Kong team Alpha+, who left the dock this morning at the top of the provisional standings, only to be knocked off the world championship podium after a 12th-place finish in the single race sailed today.
The 2026 Rolex TP52 World Championship was organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with the 52 SUPER SERIES and the TP52 Class.
Today's forecast had pointed to very light breezes, but the Race Committee was able to sound the warning signal for the ninth race of the world series at 2.35 p.m. CEST, once an easterly wind of 13 to 14 knots had filled in across the Gulf of Arzachena, set against the backdrop of the distinctive mountain ranges of Sardinia's Gallura region. With the latest possible start time set for 3.30 p.m., it was clear that the top teams would be battling it out for the world title in a single race. Trinity Racing seized the lead on the first downwind leg and never looked back, pulling away to win convincingly and secure second place on the podium - an outstanding and unexpected result for a team competing in only its second event in the most competitive of keelboat classes. Platoon Aviation, having rounded the first windward mark in the lead, followed by Sled and Trinity, went on to finish the final race in second place, claiming third place on the final podium - a result achieved through consistency, with just one double-digit result, a tenth place in race seven.
Sled finished third today, avoiding any unnecessary risks to focus on the World Championship goal.
Tactician Checco Bruni reflected on the win after popping the champagne with his team-mates: "We're absolutely delighted, you don't win a world championship every day. It was a difficult day, we started one point behind Alpha+ and it wouldn't have been enough to finish one place ahead because they'd have beaten us in a tie. We needed a good start and got one, then we simply had to mark a few opponents, and it went very well. I'm really happy because this is our third consecutive victory in the TP52 class. We won the final leg here in Porto Cervo in 2025, finishing second in the series. With this victory, we've now won the first two legs of the 2026 52 SUPER SERIES. It's a magical moment for us and I hope it continues for a long time. I'd like to thank Mr Okura, our owner, who couldn't be here but made sure we had everything we needed to win."
Andrea Recordati, Commodore of the YCCS: "I followed this fiercely contested edition of the Rolex TP52 World Championship closely, with no fewer than 15 boats representing 11 nations and the world's finest sailors here in Porto Cervo. We witnessed a world championship with the largest fleet ever registered, of the very highest technical and competitive level - keelboat sailing at its very best. I would like to thank our institutional partner Rolex, the TP52 class and the 52 SUPER SERIES, the owners and all the crews for making this an event that will be remembered for years to come. Congratulations to the new TP52 World Champions, Sled!"
The YCCS sporting calendar continues with the Invitational Smeralda 888 from 26 to 28 June.