As the 2025 Rolex 52 Super Series passed the halfway point, American team American Magic Quantum Racing remained top of the leaderboard, both for the Cascais event and the overall series. Their tactical consistency and team cohesion helped them edge out Paprec after eight races. Although both teams remained in the middle of the overall leaderboard, Kiwi sailors Nick Egnot-Johnson (Alpha+) and the experienced pair of John Cutler and Hamish Pepper (Provezza) struggled to maintain form in Cascais, slipping towards the bottom of the standings. With strong northwesterlies forecast for the final weekend, teams saw opportunity for redemption, reshuffling, and high-speed drama.
Cascais winners and leaderboard
Doug DeVos’ American Magic Quantum Racing claimed the 2025 Rolex TP52 World Championship title in Cascais, Portugal. The US-flagged team blended proven experience with fresh talent—anchored by veteran tactician Terry Hutchinson and featuring seasoned names like Sean Clarkson, James Dagg, Matt Cassidy, and Greg Gendell, all former TP52 world champions. They were joined by rising stars including 24-year-old Harry Melges IV, now the youngest helm to steer a title-winning TP52, and Sara Stone, who made history as the first female navigator to win the worlds.
It marks Quantum’s eighth world title, but Hutchinson acknowledged this one was the toughest yet. Victory came down to the final leg of a tense 10th race, narrowly edging out Jean-Luc Petithuguenin’s resurgent French crew on Paprec.
Close behind, Paprec showcased one of their best performances to date. Loïck Peyron’s crew pushed Quantum to the brink in the final race, even momentarily leading on points. But despite their tactical flair and strong downwind pace, they ultimately fell short, finishing runners-up by a single point.
Sled, helmed by Adam Beashel and backed by Kiwi trimmer Don Cowie, maintained a strong run to finish third. Though they couldn’t close the gap to the leaders, back-to-back podiums at the Worlds signal that Okura’s team remains a serious contender.
Cascais also saw standout performances from <em”>Phoenix and Alkedo Vitamina, both climbing the leaderboard with race wins. Meanwhile, Alpha+ and <em”>Provezza will be looking for redemption after ending the regatta 10th and 11th respectively.
In the overall 2025 52 Super Series standings after three events, Quantum leads with 93 points, followed by Sled (122) and Paprec (129.5).
Puerto Portals: the penultimate push
Next stop: Puerto Portals, Mallorca, from 18–23 August. As one of the most glamorous venues on the circuit, Puerto Portals is known for light to moderate breezes and flat seas—conditions that often favour precision starts and smart tactical execution over brute speed.
American Magic Quantum Racing will arrive at Puerto Portals with momentum and confidence, but the pressure is on. Sled and Paprec are within striking distance, and a single bad race could reshape the standings.
The Puerto Portals regatta also marks a critical moment for teams like Alkedo, Platoon Aviation, and Vayu, who sit within 50 points of each other. For mid-fleet teams, this is their last chance to mount a serious challenge before the season finale.
For Alpha+ and Provezza, Puerto Portals offers a chance to reset. In the lighter air, their fortunes could turn—but only if they resolve tactical missteps and improve their starts. Kiwi fans will be watching closely to see whether Nick Egnot-Johnson (who is currently racing on Beau Ideal for the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club in the Admiral’s Cup which right now is culminating in the 2025 Rolex Fastnet) and his crew can rediscover the early-season form that saw them threaten the leaders in Palma.
The five-day regatta begins with a practice session on 18 August, followed by five days of racing through to the 23rd. With the season’s final event looming, every point in Puerto Portals will matter.
Can anyone stop Quantum?
The 2025 52 Super Series is entering its final phase, and American Magic Quantum Racing has set the benchmark. But their margin is narrow, and challengers like Sled and Paprec are closing in. With Puerto Portals offering a fresh tactical test and only one regatta remaining afterward, the fleet will go all-in. Whether Quantum can hold on—or whether another team will rise—is now the defining question of the series.
