The 52 Super Series Puerto Portals 2025 opened with Alegre firing early and Sled striking back. Andy Soriano’s team looked sharp in Race 1, led by tactician Paul Goodison. Takashi Okura’s Sled then replied with textbook control on Day 2. American Magic Quantum Racing hovered close, their speed clear but consistency yet to come. By the midpoint, the regatta remained wide open, with New Zealand-linked Alpha+ and Provezza adding Kiwi flavour to the story.
52 Super Series Puerto Portals 2025: Alegre lead, Sled fight back, American Magic in chase
Day 4 in Puerto Portals delivers a shake-up
Day 4 brought three races and major movement on the leaderboard. American Magic Quantum Racing emerged from the marathon session with a slender one-point advantage. Doug DeVos’ team scored a win in the day’s final contest, tactician Terry Hutchinson admitting fortune had played its part. “We got lucky. We can’t claim anything else,” he said.
Earlier, Alkedo Vitamina had taken the opener by working the left side of the course. Then Gladiator, with Guille Parada and Ray Davies guiding tactics, recognised a shift on the right and converted it into victory. Each race carried different lessons, and few teams found consistency.
Alpha+ stood out as steady performers. Kiwi helm Nick Egnot-Johnston praised his crew:
“It was really shifty, but our guys kept the boat going and played the shifts well.” Their results lifted them into second overall, just behind American Magic. Alegre struggled with ninth and tenth, slipping into a tie with Sled and Provezza on 28 points.
By the end of Day 4, the table read: American Magic 19, Alpha+ 20, and three teams tied on 28. That left Friday wide open, with a demanding three-race programme looming.
American Magic stamp authority on Day 5 of Puerto Portals
Day 5, raced in 10–14 knots of sea breeze, saw American Magic Quantum Racing pull clear. They won two of three races, showcasing adaptability after modest starts. Hutchinson and strategist Victor Diaz de Leon worked shifts and pressure zones with precision, turning average positions into wins.
For Hutchinson, it was about discipline: “We are always thinking about improvements. The team is gelling really well.” Their record now included three wins from four starts, enough to build an 18-point lead.
Behind them, the fight for the podium grew intense. Sled held second overall but stumbled to tenth in the last race of the day. Alpha+ suffered a penalty downgrade in Race 7 but bounced back with a critical second in the final race, staying tied with Sled. Tactician Ado Stead admitted frustration but praised the team’s resilience: “The sign of a good team is bouncing back after disappointment. We are still in a good place.”
Alegre recovered to score a second in Race 6, yet inconsistency left them fourth, just one point behind the podium battle. Alkedo Vitamina and Brazil’s Crioula also rose, their aggressive sailing keeping the pressure high. With only four points separating second from sixth, Saturday promised drama.
Stories across the fleet
The Puerto Portals week highlighted both strength and struggle. Provezza, despite early promise, slipped down the table after tough results on Day 5. Platoon Aviation, champions in 2023, finally showed speed with a race win and a gritty third, suggesting their redesign work was paying off. Owner Harm Müller-Spreer admitted their campaign had been difficult but felt relief after progress: “Finally, we have the boat going.”
Gladiator and Paprec continued mid-fleet battles, flashes of brilliance offset by inconsistency. Vayu, with Thai ownership and Mallorcan crew support, hovered just behind. Teasing Machine struggled at the rear, yet their persistence added depth to the 12-boat fleet.
What lies ahead
With American Magic now on the brink of three consecutive regatta wins, the final day shapes as a showdown for the podium. Sled, Alpha+, Alegre, Alkedo, and Crioula remain in contention, separated by just four points. Provezza with its Kiwi links are close but might be too far off the pace.
That narrow spread ensures Saturday’s two races will demand focus, nerve, and tactical clarity. As American Magic chase history, the rest of the fleet fight for honour and silverware. Palma, as always, offers no easy answers.
Provisional leaderboard after Day 5
- American Magic Quantum Racing (USA) – 27
- Sled (USA) – 45
- Alpha+ (HKG) – 45
- Alegre (GBR) – 46
- Alkedo Vitamina (ITA) – 47
- Crioula (BRA) – 49
- Provezza (TUR) – 52
- Paprec (FRA) – 53
- Vayu (THA) – 55
- Platoon Aviation (GER) – 61
- Gladiator (GBR) – 64
- Teasing Machine (FRA) – 86
