Two New Teams to Debut at the 52 SUPER SERIES Puerto Portals Sailing Week

The 52 SUPER SERIES returns to Europe after two fantastic events in Newport (Rhode Island) with the addition of two new teams.

The “Crioula” by Brazilian brothers Eduardo and Renato Plass and the “Teasing Machine” owned by Frenchman Eric de Turckheim will make their debut in Puerto Portals and will also compete in Valencia, the last two events of the 2024 season.

In Brazil, the “Crioula” team is a regular on the regatta circuit, boasting a considerable record of success, which has recently increased aboard their TP52, a former Rán Racing. The program is directed by the Plass brothers: Eduardo is the helmsman and Renato handles the backstay. This marks the first wholly Brazilian project in the 52 SUPER SERIES since Eduardo de Souza Ramos’ “Onda” competed in the 2018 season.

Attracted by the allure of the 52 SUPER SERIES and in search of a new challenge as a team, they acquired the “Provezza” early this summer, which finished second overall in the 52 SUPER SERIES 2023. They received the powerful Vrolijk design immediately after it bid farewell to Ergin Imre’s team by winning the first race of the season in Palma.

The “Crioula” team dates back to 2010 and began by combining Soto 40 competition and ocean racing in the Caribbean and Europe with their Camaringa, a pivoting keel Soto 65. They acquired the previous Paprec and competed with it from 2021 in Brazil. Now, with the new boat, they will start in Puerto Portals and Valencia as a precursor to a 2025 season that will include the 52 SUPER SERIES and potentially some ORC rating events. The team is led by Brazilian Sam Albrecht, a three-time Olympian, and comprises 40% professionals and 60% amateurs.

Albrecht is good friends with Cole Parada and Santi Lange from “Provezza”. The boat transfer included a few training days with Cole, Cantabrian navigator Nacho Postigo, and Mallorcan Matthew Barber, while Albrecht observed from the dinghy with “Provezza’s” coach, the legendary Santi Lange.

The other new team also has a long and successful track record. This is the well-known “Teasing Machine” project of French owner Eric de Turckheim, who is expanding horizons to include a TP52 campaign alongside his 54-foot NMYD, with which he and his crew have competed in many major ocean races. His accomplishments include winning the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2022 and, more recently, this summer’s Round Ireland. Now, Teasing Machine is looking to elevate its level in grand prix regattas, thus joining the 52 SUPER SERIES.

They acquired the former “Gladiator”, which will be launched in Valencia in the coming days to begin a series of training sessions ahead of the 52 SUPER SERIES Puerto Portals Sailing Week.

The addition of “Crioula” and “Teasing Machine” increases the 52 SUPER SERIES fleet to 13 boats, confirming the excellent health of the world’s premier Grand Prix monohull racing circuit. In Puerto Portals and Valencia, teams from eight nationalities will compete: Germany, Brazil, the United States, France, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Thailand, and Turkey.

The 52 SUPER SERIES Puerto Portals Sailing Week will be held from August 28 to September 1.