Cole Parada’s first win as tactician in the 52 Super Series couldn’t have come at a better moment. Provezza’s victory in the sole race of the day at Puerto Portals, combined with overnight leaders Sled’s catastrophic 13th place finish, has handed Ergin Imre’s Turkish-flagged team a three-point advantage heading into tomorrow’s three-race finale on the Bay of Palma.
Parada and strategist Santi Lange made a decisive call on the Vrolijk-designed TP52, backing themselves to take the left side of the upwind in choppy water. The move paid off completely. Helm John Cutler and navigator Nacho Postigo won the pin, the left end of the start line, and from there it was about nailing the layline—a tricky proposition given the squalls had knocked out their computer.
“It is always good to be getting to the last day with a chance to win the regatta,” Parada said after racing. “Tomorrow is going to be a really tough day with up to three races in an offshore breeze. We thought in this choppy water it was important to win one of the ends. John and Nacho did a fantastic job, and from then on we had to work the right layline. We lost the box so it was manual like the old days.”
For Parada, who’s been part of the fleet since its inception in 2012, this maiden win as tactician carries particular weight. He stepped into the role for the first time last season and has clearly found his rhythm.
Racing didn’t get underway until nearly 4pm, with stormy cells battering the gradient breeze all afternoon. The wind started at 14 knots and withered to eight by the second lap. Provezza crossed in first, with Andrea Lacorte’s Alkedo Vitamina in second.
The real shuffling happened further down the fleet. Dutch newcomer Pieter Heerema’s No Way Back Team stole third on the finish line from the new Brazilian entry Caballo Loco, vaulting into third overall with just seven races in the bag. Harm Müller-Spreer’s Platoon Aviation, which had climbed to third before today, drew two successive penalties, first for crossing too close to No Way Back, then fouling Andy Soriano’s Alegre.
Sled’s tumble from the top spot opens the regatta wide open. With three races still to sail, the top half of this fiercely competitive fleet can genuinely dream of winning the 52 Super Series’ season opener. Standings after seven races: Provezza 35 points, Sled 38, and a tight cluster of contenders within striking distance.
