The 52 SUPER SERIES has never been one for gentle introductions. Since its formation in 2012, following the abrupt end of the Audi MedCup, the series has championed a style of grand prix monohull racing that demands precision, innovation, and endurance. Now into its 2025 season, the fleet arrives in Cascais, Portugal for what may well be the most telling moment in this year’s campaign — the Rolex TP52 World Championship.
From the beginning it threw teams into the fire — starting with light and unpredictable breezes in Saint-Tropez, then shifting rapidly into the unforgiving Atlantic swells of Baiona, and now onto the muscular conditions of Cascais. Each venue strips away any weaknesses, forcing owner-drivers and elite tacticians to blend instinct, analysis, and flat-out performance.
As the series lands in Portugal for the Rolex TP52 World Championship, the fleet is already battle-hardened.
Saint-Tropez, with its champagne sailing and light breeze lottery, saw American Magic Quantum Racing establish an early lead. Their form — a continuation of a dominant 2024 season — is no accident. With Doug DeVos and young gun Harry Melges IV sharing helm duties, and Terry Hutchinson back as tactician, the US-based outfit is as technically sharp as they are strategically composed. Their use of live analytics, coordinated by coach James Lyne, continues to influence not only their own results but those of their partner teams, including Vāyu and Gladiator.
But the glamour of the Riviera quickly gave way to the rugged reality of Galicia, where Baiona’s conditions demanded a different skill set. Big shifts, Atlantic rollers, and the cold edge of coastal weather systems forced teams to pivot strategies and lean on localised smarts. It was here that Platoon Aviation, skippered by Germany’s Harm Müller-Spreer, surged. Armed with a new Botin hull and a fearsome afterguard — including Vasco Vascotto and Olympic gold medallist Jordi Calafat — Platoon brought the pressure, finishing second behind Quantum and putting the rest of the fleet on alert.
Meanwhile, Alpha+, helmed by New Zealander Nick Egnot-Johnson, quietly built momentum. The young Auckland match racer — best known for his sharp tactical instincts and calm decision-making — is making a strong impression in his first full 52 SUPER SERIES campaign. Alpha+ closed out Baiona in joint 7th, on equal points with Vāyu, and just a few behind perennial contenders like Paprec and Sled. The team’s steady rise is a testament not only to Egnot-Johnson’s ability to adapt at this level, but also to the squad’s growing cohesion in a class that punishes inconsistency.
That’s a defining feature of the 52 SUPER SERIES — the scoring system leaves no margin for bad days. Every race counts. There are no discards. You don’t recover with a big win unless you can back it up again and again. And unlike other grand prix circuits, this one keeps owner-drivers at the centre of the action. That combination of passion and professionalism creates an intensity that is palpable.
And now we come to Cascais — the jewel of the Atlantic circuit, where breeze is not the problem. Located just west of Lisbon, this venue is notorious for delivering reliable pressure and complex sea states. It’s physical sailing, with high boat speeds and aggressive tactical options that leave no time for second-guessing. For teams like Provezza — which includes Kiwi talents Hamish Pepper and John Cutler — the conditions in Cascais are a gift. The Turkish team enters with a new Judel/Vrolijk design, and while still fine-tuning the boat, they’ve already shown flashes of brilliance.
The broader storyline this season is shaping up to be one of tight margins. The leaderboard after Saint-Tropez and Galicia is compressed — Quantum Racing leads, but not by much. Platoon, Alkedo, and Sled are all within reach, with Alpha+, Paprec, and Vāyu hovering just behind. One standout performance in Portugal could flip the season on its head.
New boats are also adding volatility to the mix. Alkedo, powered by Vitamina, has added Italian flair and pace to the pack, sailing with confidence in their debut season. Likewise, France’s Teasing Machine and Brazil’s Crioula bring global depth to the fleet, even if they’ve yet to threaten the top tier.
Yet among all this, Nick Egnot-Johnson’s presence is quietly significant. His rise from youth match racing in Auckland to skippering at the highest level of monohull racing adds a compelling Kiwi thread to this increasingly international story. In a fleet dominated by experience, he brings freshness and fearlessness — and as Cascais opens, he’s exactly the kind of sailor who could seize an opportunity others might hesitate over.
Cascais isn’t about surviving — it’s about executing. The breeze will be up. The waves will demand perfect trim and precise handling. Mistakes here are magnified, and the Rolex TP52 World Championship offers no soft landings. For Quantum Racing, it’s a chance to cement control. For teams like Platoon and Alpha+, it’s an opening to shift momentum. For Provezza, it’s about finally converting potential into points.
By week’s end, the shape of the season will be clearer. But in a fleet as competitive as this, nothing is guaranteed. Every gybe, every cross, every tactical call matters. The 52 SUPER SERIES demands it — and so far, the class of 2025 is answering with some of the finest racing the series has ever seen.
Boating New Zealand will continue to follow Nick Egnot-Johnson, John Cutler, and Hamish Pepper and the 52 SUPER SERIES fleet through the second half of the season.
