TP52 World Championship starts tomorrow in Valencia
More than a century ago, the well-known American novelist Mark Twain, made his famous remark "The report of my death was an exaggeration". I think that some similar reports were published recently concerning the death of the TP52 class and from what I judged this morning in front of the Veles e Vents building in Valencia, they couldn't be further away from reality.
The TP52's are currently holding their World Championship here with official racing starting tomorrow, Tuesday. A total of nine yachts are participating, some of them entirely professional teams that race in all the AUDI Medcup events while some others, owner-driven, do not have a full-fledged racing program. Gone are the glory days, obviously, of 2006 or 2007 when the TP52 class could assemble a fleet of more than 25 yachts, but then tell me of one yacht class that hasn't suffered in the last couple of years?
However, the most important news isn't about who's taking part in the Worlds but rather who is joining the class for next year's circuit. There are several big names, owners and teams, that will make their presence public in the following weeks and whose entry will certainly make it clear the TP52's and the AUDI Medcup circuit are probably the only option for high-level monohull fleet racing. For sure not all multi-millionaires like multihulls and if they don't, these yachts and their circuit probably delivers the best alternative. One could even argue that the absence of Emirates Team New Zealand has leveled the playing field and encouraged owners that were bystanders to jump in.
As far as the regatta is concerned, the very promising weather forecast will most probably deliver a great show. The photos tell today's story. When I took them at 11am there was more than 20 knots blowing inside the port with 25 knots reported off the Malvarosa beach. Perfect conditions!
Nine TP52's are ready to battle it out for the TP52 World Championship. There are only 8 yachts in the photos because Cristabella is still docked in the Victory Challenge base, just across the basin.Valencia, 4 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing 
Nine TP52's are ready to battle it out for the TP52 World Championship. There are only 8 yachts in the photos because Cristabella is still docked in the Victory Challenge base, just across the basin.Valencia, 4 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing 
Nine TP52's are ready to battle it out for the TP52 World Championship. There are only 8 yachts in the photos because Cristabella is still docked in the Victory Challenge base, just across the basin.Valencia, 4 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing Labels: TP52, TP52 World Championship, Valencia
7 Comments:
Hi Pierre,
Good to see you this morning. We will be 9 teams for this Worlds as Bribon got "holed" up. Valars is same boat as All4One.
It is early days to say how 2011 will materialise. But with Audi signing up for 3 more years of AUDI MedCup and quite a few new builds in process and new teams starting to join even a prudent guess is we look good.
AUDI MedCup and the TP52 Class is a good marriage that produces arguably the best fleet & level yacht racing on this planet.
As a sailor, but for sure also as the TP52 class manager, I wish all kinds of sailing a healthy future. From Optimist to J-Class, one, two or three hulls, fast or really fast. In the end we only need 15 TP52 teams in the same stretch of water to be called the hottest show on the globe, whilst with 10 it appears to be doom and gloom (for some).
On the long term it will be great for theTP52 Class to have more pockets of TP52's fleet racing, like in the USA or Australia. An initiative as the "i52" in California is a first step in that direction. Also Key West Regatta promotes a TP52 start.
Rob Weiland
Maybe I missed it, but I saw nothing on this website regarding Team Origin ignoring the AC34, which is not silly news at all but major milestone in that sad story.
To the previous anonymous commentator: Yes, you did miss it!! Here is the link to the story, published seconds after receiving the official press release
nowhere to watch it live???
Sorry, no Live TV for this one.
Next year we try to do better on the Live TV for the Worlds, no title sponsor in place this year.
Excellent coverage as always Mr. Pierre, and good news to read Mr. Weiland. The TP52's are cool boats and I wish BMWO would of considered a boat like that for AC34 instead of Multi's, but it is what it is.
I do hope the TP52 class takes hold in the States.
I believe ETNZ's participation over the last two years has raised the standard of racing in this circuit and most of the competitors would agree with that.
It is a great loss for this competition to see them bow out after the Cagliari event. Dalts, Dean, Ray and co are great group of very talented sailors who are also approachable, humble and very popular with the crowds who attend any of the MedCup regattas.
Yes, OK....is see the point, and maybe more corinthian teams may join now but why would you say that not having ETNZ will encourage more or newer owners to participate. Sounds like bad sportsmanship if you are worried about having the best sailing teams of the highest calibre who dominate because they sail consistently amongst the MedCup fleet.... well it is far more inspiring for everyone to step up to the mark.
Post a Comment
<< Home