Vasco Vascotto: Changing the TP52 box rule is complete crap

@Nico Martinez / AUDI Medcup

There is probably no sailor more authoritative to talk about the proposed change in the TP52 box rule than Vasco Vascotto. He is actively racing in the TP52 circuit since its inception in 2005 and was in fact the first ever Medcup winner onboard Pisco Sour in that year.

Vascotto is back in the AUDI Medcup circuit in 2009 with Pisco Sour and we asked his opinion about the proposed change in the TP52 box rule for 2010, so that the 2011 races take place with the new boats. Vascotto couldn't be any clearer. For him changing the rule is "complete crap". Read on.

"I personally think that changing the TP52 box-rule next year would be one of the biggest errors. I think it will be very difficult for the TP52 class to be eclipsed by better yachts because of the current extremely tough financial conditions, the fact that these yachts have reached such a high and close level but also the possibility of seeing different designs such as Botín's with Emirates Team New Zealand. We have 20 TP52 yachts in the world and I'm convinced this is the correct formula for the present as well as the future. It's my personal conviction but talking to many professional sailors I feel my view is shared by all of them. It has been proven that any single boat can win on the water and for all us professional sailors this is a very important factor.

There is absolutely no need to change the current TP52 box rule, for all the reasons I mentioned above: Financial, technical and number of yachts. If we want to be here next year with three new TP52 yachts, under the new rule, similar to what happened with the STP65's, then go ahead and change it. If on the other hand we want to have 13, 18 or even 20 boats next year, if the economy picks up, then we must retain this rule.

I think that there are no better boats to race in IRC than the TP52's. For exactly that reason the TP52's have a flourishing market in IRC and even the modifications necessary to optimize them for IRC cost much less than what you would expect. For example, a Cuben Fiber sail to race in the coastal race costs 30,000 euros. With the same amount of money you can modify a TP52 and maker her competitive in IRC. So, if we have to spend an additional one or two million euros to make a new TP52 yacht, I can make all the modifications you want on my boat with that money.

For me, changing the TP52 rule is complete crap."