Despite the lack of action on the water, spirits remained high. Crews stayed focused, waiting for any sign of workable breeze, while Race Officer Maria Torrijo took the decision to send the fleet afloat in case the wind delivered more than forecasted – as it had during the official practice race the day before. It didn’t. But, as Quantum Racing’s Terry Hutchinson noted, it was the right call: “Maria did the right thing,” he said. “It would not have taken much more for us to get a race in, and she got us in the best spot.”
Provezza navigator Nacho Postigo echoed the sentiment. “You have to keep your mind open – some days the breeze surprises you. Yesterday we got eight to nine knots when we weren’t expecting it. Today it didn’t happen.”
With racing postponed, some crews got creative on social media while others sharpened their focus for the following day, when the forecast looked more promising. Fortunately, Day Two delivered – and how.
Under sunny skies and with a south-southwesterly breeze building to 13 knots, racing finally got underway on Thursday. Two fiercely contested races set the tone for what promises to be a highly competitive season. It was Britain’s Gladiator, steered by owner Tony Langley, that made the early statement. After a disappointing finish to the 2024 season, where they led the circuit going into the final event in Valencia only to miss out on the title, the team bounced back strongly in Saint-Tropez.
Langley’s team dominated Race 1, leading from start to finish. With tactician Guille Parada – who normally helms – and strategist Ray Davies, a veteran of multiple America’s Cup and MedCup campaigns, Gladiator executed a textbook race. A smart start gave them control, and they capitalised on a noticeable gain on the right-hand side of the course.
Race 2 saw a similar pattern, with a premium on clean starts and positioning early right. Alpha +, flying the Hong Kong flag, took full advantage. With Kiwi match racer Nick Egnot Johnson on the helm, Laser Olympic gold medallist Tom Burton calling tactics, and seasoned navigator Iain Moore on board, Alpha + held off Gladiator to take the win. Combined with their fifth in Race 1, the team sits second overall – just three points adrift of the leaders and enjoying their best start to a regatta since joining the circuit two years ago.
For Provezza, winners in Saint-Tropez in 2023, the day was less fruitful. A premature start in Race 1 led to disqualification, forcing them to watch from the sidelines while rivals racked up early points. It’s a stark reminder of the fine margins at this level.
Ray Davies was upbeat about Gladiator’s performance: “It was an awesome day – dead flat water, nine to 13 knots, and a bit of a one-way track. We knew we had to win the start and get right early. Tony did a great job on the helm, and we’re building confidence in the afterguard. But the fleet’s so tight, you can’t afford to let up.”
The sentiment was echoed by Tom Burton, pleased with Alpha +’s form: “To get a win on the first day is a great feeling, but there’s a long way to go.”
With the fleet now fully into the swing of racing, and conditions expected to hold steady, the 52 SUPER SERIES Saint-Tropez Cup is shaping up to be another classic. After a slow start, the action has arrived – and it’s delivering.
