Day one of the Rolex TP52 World Championship 2025 delivered fast, punishing conditions off Cascais, Portugal. Sled, helmed by Australia’s Adam Beashel, set the early benchmark with a win and a third, edging into the overall lead. French entry Paprec claimed the second race, while American Magic Quantum Racing showed consistent pace to stay close. Kiwi sailors made their presence felt — Nick Egnot-Johnson on Alpha+ showed steady form, and Hamish Pepper and John Cutler helped Provezza stay in touch.
Midway pressure builds
As the Rolex TP52 World Championship in Cascais hit the halfway mark, the leaderboard tightened and changed while the pressure intensified. French entry Paprec, tactically led by Loïck Peyron, now leads the standings. Their consistent results in tricky conditions have pushed them two points clear of American Magic Quantum Racing, who dropped back after a penalty in Race 5.
First-day fireworks at Cascais: Sled set the pace in the Rolex TP52 World Championship
Racing today proved more technical than tactical. Light southerly winds and a shifting tide line made every decision count. While some teams thrived, others found the going tough.
Paprec sets the pace
Paprec made their move early in Race 5, starting strong off the left end and holding position through the complex current. While they were ultimately overtaken by Phoenix, their second-place finish was enough to edge them into the overall lead. The performance was particularly notable given the team includes several non-professionals. Project manager Stéphane Névé credited teamwork and smart manoeuvring for the result but admitted nerves are high with five races still to go.
Sled drops off the pace
Early regatta leader Sled, steered by Australia’s Adam Beashel, struggled to maintain momentum. After finishing 9th and 8th in the last two races, they slipped to fourth overall. Their performance in stronger winds had been strong, but light airs have exposed a few setup weaknesses. They’ll need to bounce back quickly if they want to contend.
Kiwis under pressure
From a New Zealand perspective, it’s been a tough few days. After a promising start to the championship, both Provezza (with John Cutler and Hamish Pepper) and Alpha+ (helmed by Nick Egnot-Johnson) have slipped down the table. Provezza, who sat mid-fleet earlier in the regatta, now sit 10th. Alpha+, despite consistent top-half finishes early on, has fallen to 11th — last place.
Nick Egnot-Johnson will likely be disappointed. His confident, composed opening day now feels distant, and the last few races haven’t gone his way. Alpha+ posted a 10th and an 11th in the most recent outings, struggling to find rhythm in the light breeze. The team has looked flat downwind and missed a few critical shifts. With heavier conditions forecast, they’ll be hoping to rediscover their earlier form.
For Provezza, the story is similar. Cutler and Pepper bring huge experience, but the team hasn’t quite found their groove since the breeze dropped. Their 10-7-5 over the past three races suggests a small upswing, but they remain second-to-last — well behind the front-runners. Boat speed looks solid, but starts and positioning need improvement.
Eyes on the weekend
With five races still to sail, the championship remains open — especially with a return to strong northwesterlies forecast. Big breeze should favour teams like Sled and Quantum, while Paprec will need to stay sharp in heavier conditions. For the Kiwi sailors, the shift could provide a chance to reset and recover lost ground.
Execution, confidence, and pressure handling will define the final stretch. Five different teams have now won the last five races. No team is running away with it. As the 52 SUPER SERIES fleet lines up for the final days, anything can happen.
Boating New Zealand will continue to follow the 52 Super Series in Cascais, tracking the fortunes of New Zealand sailors as they fight for a comeback. With breeze building and pride on the line, expect fireworks across the final races.
