Porto Cervo is preparing for one of professional sailing’s most competitive weeks. Fifteen TP52s representing eleven nations will line up off the Sardinian coast from 16-20 June for the Rolex TP52 World Championship, the largest fleet ever assembled in the class’s history. The event marks the fourth time the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda has hosted the title, and with more than half the field capable of winning, the racing figures to be fierce.
At 15.85 metres, TP52s sit at the pinnacle of keelboat design. These yachts operate within strict structural parameters that force continuous innovation, creating a technical arms race matched only by the professional sailing talent aboard. The Porto Cervo fleet reads like a who’s who of ocean racing. Francesco Bruni leads Sled, which won the season opener in Puerto Portals. Harm Müller-Spreer’s Platoon Aviation brings three previous world titles to the line. Tony Langley’s Gladiator took the 2024 Worlds in Newport. Andrea Lacorte’s Alkedo Vitamina scored two race wins in Puerto Portals and rates among the fastest boats present.
The depth runs deeper still. Pieter Heerema’s No Way Back carries much of the American Magic Quantum Racing programme, with Olympic bronze medallist Lucas Calabrese returning as strategist. Ergin Imre’s Provezza and Andy Soriano’s Alegre both possess serious credentials. Loïck Peyron, Ed Baird, and numerous other America’s Cup and Ocean Race veterans complete a line-up that will leave little margin for error.
Vudu, owned by Mauro Gestri and making its 52 Super Series debut, recently finished second at the ORC World Championship with Michele Regolo handling tactics. The boat was originally built as Azzurra in 2015, creating an interesting historical thread. The last time Porto Cervo hosted these Worlds was 2014, when Quantum Racing pipped Azzurra by just two points for the title. That boat represented the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, then owned by the Roemmers family.
Andrea Recordati, the Club’s Commodore, reflected on returning to host duties. “Hosting the Rolex TP52 World Championship for the fourth time is a great honour,” he said. “It takes us back to the decade when Azzurra competed and won in the 52 Super Series. The strength of this fleet means the final outcome looks more open than ever. Consistency and minimising mistakes will be decisive.”
Light winds are forecast for the week ahead. Racing begins at noon CEST on 16 June, with the competition decided across 20 June. Spectators can follow the action live on the 52 Super Series streaming platform. For a fleet this calibre operating in one of sailing’s most demanding classes, every start matters.
