A week of contrasts
Few regattas have swung so wildly. Early races were defined by the Mistral’s raw power, gusting close to 30 knots and driving TP52s to the edge of control. By the final weekend, the breeze collapsed into heat and glassy calm, leaving the fleet stranded under thunderclouds. Race officers called off the last day entirely, sealing the scoreboard after seven contests.
That left Takashi Okura’s Sled crowned Porto Cervo Range Rover Regatta champions with 27 points — their second Sardinian title, after a dominant whitewash in 2019.
“It is huge for the team,” said Kiwi Don Cowie. “We had some pace in the breeze and were really comfortable with how we sailed. Mr Okura does a great job considering how little time he really is on the handlebars.”
Phoenix and Alegre complete the podium
Hasso and Tina Plattner’s Phoenix, reinvigorated by Tom Slingsby and Will Ryan, finished second on 33 points. For a crew that has seen both highs and lows in recent seasons, Porto Cervo was a reminder of what they can achieve at full tilt.
Andy Soriano’s Alegre secured third with 38, closing their year with a confidence-boosting finish.
The fight for third
If Sled’s win looked comfortable, the battle behind was anything but. Alegre, Paprec, and Provezza traded blows all week, finishing within a single point of each other:
Alegre – 38 pts
Paprec – 39 pts
Provezza – 39 pts
Paprec, with Jean-Luc Petithuguenin’s French crew, narrowly missed the regatta podium but still celebrated their best-ever season overall, finishing third across the championship. Provezza, guided by new strategist Santi Lange alongside Cole Parada, found form late and ended with consecutive podium results (placing second in races six and seven) that suggest real momentum for 2026.
Four days of racing drama
- Day 1: Platoon won Race 1. Sled opened strongly (4th, 2nd). Alpha+, helmed by Kiwi Nick Egnot-Johnson, rebounded from last to win Race 2. Platoon collided with Gladiator, causing damage and injury.
- Day 2: The Mistral pounded the fleet. Sled claimed their first win in Porto Cervo. American Magic recovered with a second. Platoon fumbled a spinnaker drop, sliding down the table.
- Day 3: Three races, three winners: Paprec, Phoenix, and Sled. Phoenix were top scorers, climbing to second overall. Sled bounced back from a penalty to close the day with a win.
- Day 4: In fading breeze, Thailand’s Vayu earned their first win of the season. Provezza followed with second, their resurgence clear.
Final standings – Porto Cervo Range Rover Regatta 2025
- Sled (USA, Takashi Okura) – 27 pts
- Phoenix (RSA, Tina & Hasso Plattner) – 33 pts
- Alegre (GBR, Andy Soriano) – 38 pts
- Paprec (FRA, Jean-Luc Petithuguenin) – 39 pts
- Provezza (TUR, Ergin Imre) – 39 pts
- Platoon Aviation (GER, Harm Müller-Spreer) – 40.5 pts
- American Magic Quantum Racing (USA, Doug DeVos) – 47 pts
- Alkedo Vitamina (ITA, Andrea Lacorte) – 49 pts
- Vayu (THA, Whitcraft Family) – 55 pts
- Alpha+ (HKG, Shawn & Tina Kang) – 59 pts
- Crioula (BRA, Eduardo & Renato Plass) – 60 pts
- Gladiator (GBR, Tony Langley) – 63 pts
- Teasing Machine (FRA, Eric de Turckheim) – 84 pts
A finale worthy of the circuit
From brutal mistral gusts to the eerie calm of the last day, Porto Cervo encapsulated the theatre of the 52 Super Series 2025. For Sled, it was validation of consistency and Kiwi cool under pressure. For Phoenix, a sign they can still challenge the very best. And for Alegre, Paprec, and Provezza, the podium battle highlighted just how fiercely competitive the fleet has become.
In the end, Porto Cervo was more than a regatta. It was a reminder of why this series has no equal: every point fought for, every shift contested, and every victory earned.
