Sled takes the early lead
It was Sled, the American-flagged team led by Japan’s Takashi Okura, who came out swinging in the Rolex TP52 World Championship Cascais 2025. With coach and America’s Cup veteran Australian Adam Beashel on the helm – best known in New Zealand for his 2003 and 2007 America’s Cup campaigns with Emirates Team New Zealand – Sled stormed to a dominant win in the opening race. The boat was light on flair and heavy on execution: a clean start, solid calls from Bruni and Murray Jones, and pitch-perfect downwind handling allowed them to surge ahead. They followed up with a third place in Race 2, putting them at the top the Day 1 standings with just four points — a single point clear of French entry Paprec.
The battle intensifies: 52 SUPER SERIES 2025 rolls into Cascais
Beashel’s skiff sailing background was perfectly suited to the conditions. Downwind, with waves to surf and no margin for hesitation, Sled looked every bit the boat to beat when the pressure’s up.
Paprec takes the second race
The second race went to Paprec, skippered by Jean-Luc Petithuguenin and tactically led by the legendary Loïck Peyron. The French team’s performance was especially noteworthy not just because it was Peyron’s first race win in the 52 SUPER SERIES, but because they did it without electronics — no instruments, no readouts, just “feel.” On the final run, they picked their waves better than Quantum and muscled through to take the win. It was classic Peyron: intuitive, unfiltered, brilliant.
Overall competition leaders
American Magic Quantum Racing, led by Doug DeVos, showed why they’re still at the top of the overall leaderboard. The team posted 3rd and 2nd-place finishes and sit tied on points with Paprec, just behind Sled. While Quantum may have looked slightly more conservative in these breeze-on conditions, their tight teamwork and fast setup remain a benchmark. Tactician Terry Hutchinson and strategist Sara Stone called the big shifts well, particularly in Race 2, where the offshore side carried more wind but came with risk.
Kiwi sailors remain in the mix
For Kiwi watchers, there’s plenty to track. Nick Egnot-Johnson, the young Auckland match racer making his full-season debut at the helm of Alpha+, sailed a composed and confident opening day. The Hong Kong-flagged boat posted a 7th and an 8th, tied on points with seasoned campaigners Platoon Aviation. While not flashy, the result shows consistency — vital in a class where one poor race can blow your championship.
Also in the mix are two other New Zealand names with serious pedigree: Hamish Pepper and John Cutler, racing aboard Provezza. The Turkish-flagged entry notched a 6th and a 7th to sit fifth overall. Given the challenging conditions and the new Judel/Vrolijk hull the team is still tuning, it’s a solid start that leaves room to build.
Man overboard on Platoon Aviation
One early upset came via Platoon Aviation, widely tipped as a title contender after a strong showing in practice. In Race 1, they lost their bowman overboard and sailed the leg without a spinnaker, limping in at the back of the fleet. The crew member was quickly recovered and is fine, but the team will be playing catch-up for the rest of the regatta. They bounced back with a fourth in Race 2 — but the damage to their day was done.
Behind the front-runners, teams like Alegre, Gladiator, and Alkedo – powered by local Portuguese sailing hero Álvaro Marinho – are still working to find rhythm in the swell. Cascais is not a venue that forgives hesitation. Boats are planing downwind, turns are punishing, and even the slightest breakdown in communication shows up in metres lost.
Cascais standings
After two races, the standings are tight, with Sled (4 points) just ahead of Paprec (5), Quantum Racing (5), and Alegre (7). For Kiwis, Provezza (13) and Alpha+ (15) are still very much in the hunt. With three more days of racing ahead — and plenty of breeze still forecast — the shape of the championship is far from settled.
As always in the 52 SUPER SERIES, execution is everything. The teams that can handle pressure, adapt quickly and avoid the big mistakes will survive the Rolex TP52 World Championship Cascais 2025. Day 1 is just the beginning — but it’s already laid down a clear message: this championship will be fought hard, wave by wave, tack by tack.
Boating New Zealand will continue tracking Kiwi sailors Nick Egnot-Johnson, John Cutler, and Hamish Pepper throughout the Rolex TP52 World Championship and the rest of the 2025 season.
The 52 SUPER SERIES season opens in a few days with a new, spectacular venue – Saint-Tropez
