“Gladiator” conquers the Puerto Portals 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week

A dramatic final assault decided the fourth event of the 52 SUPER SERIES season. Tony Langley's "Gladiator," starting the day in second provisional position three points behind the leader "Platoon Aviation," masterfully played its cards in a final round that neutralized the advantage of its rival and clinched the victory on a tiebreak.

The Puerto Portals 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week was resolved in the last of the nine races held over five days of competition in the Bay of Palma. In the battle for the title, "Platoon Aviation," "Gladiator," and "Quantum Racing" took to the water on the last day focused on just three points, which would determine the podium positions based on the outcome of the championship's final confrontation.

The wind was slow to settle, adding an extra layer of suspense to the equation. After a false start due to a general recall, the 13 boats from nine nationalities took to the field just in time to contest one of the two scheduled races and say goodbye to Puerto Portals with a dramatic finale.

"Platoon Aviation" was forced to fend off the pressure from its two powerful rivals. A solid leader since day one, a double stumble on the penultimate day had brought the Germans within reach of the British and Americans. Following a conservative start, the team led by German owner and helmsman Harm Müller-Spreer, Italian tactician Vasco Vascotto, and Mallorcan strategist Jordi Calafat, trailed "Gladiator" while "Quantum Racing powered by American Magic" lagged at the back of the pack. Just when everything seemed on track, "Platoon Aviation" lost the wake of its rival at the end of the second leg and saw two boats slip between its bow and "Gladiator's" stern.

Tony Langley's team and helmsman Guillermo Parada didn't mind that "Teasing Machine" scored the last partial victory of the week, a milestone for Eric De Turckheim's team in their first 52 SUPER SERIES event. "Gladiator" crossed the finish line second and "Platoon Aviation" fifth, resulting in a tie at 40 points each at the top of the final standings. The tiebreaker favored the British, marking their second consecutive event win of the season. "Quantum Racing powered by American Magic" completed the Puerto Portals podium with a seventh in the crucial final race.

The award ceremony of the Puerto Portals 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week featured the presence of Queen Suthida of Thailand. Having competed on board the Whitcraft family's "Vayu" throughout the week, the queen presented the champion's trophy to the crew of "Gladiator."

With the points from the Puerto Portals 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week added up, "Gladiator" takes the lead in the overall standings of the 52 SUPER SERIES 2024. Tony Langley's boat, crowned TP52 world champion after winning the Rolex TP52 World Championship Newport in July, leads the provisional circuit standings by eight points over "Quantum Racing powered by American Magic" and 28 over "Platoon Aviation," now in third place.

From Puerto Portals, the fleet will head to Valencia to compete in the grand finale of the 2024 season: the Valencia 52 SUPER SERIES Royal Cup, from September 23 to 28.