TP52

Harm Müller-Spreer and his German-flagged Platoon crew

Dublin Bay's Guilfoyle Second on Sled in Mallorca as Platoon and Provezza 'Share' 2023 TP52 Super Series Season Title

25th September 2023 TP52

Dun Laoghaire Harbour's Cian Guilfoyle concluded his first season in the TP52 series circuit with a second overall on Takashi Okura's Sled at Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week in Mallorca. It was a result to give the American…

Harm Muller Spreer's German-flagged Platoon are the new TP52 World Champions

Platoon is TP52 World Championship Winner

28th August 2023 TP52

Harm Muller Spreer's German-flagged Platoon team clinched the 2023 Rolex TP52 World Championship title with a thrilling comeback in the final minutes of the final race off Barcelona. From fourth at the last windward mark of the championship, they passed…

There was no wind in Barcelona for the Rolex TP52 World Championship in Barcelona on Wednesday

TP52 World Championship Looks Forward to Wind on Thursday in Barcelona

23rd August 2023 Racing

Light winds persisted through the afternoon at the Rolex TP52 World Championship in Barcelona on Wednesday, meaning racing remained on hold until the race officer Maria Torrijo decided there was no option other than to display the AP over A…

Two Irish sailors are competing in the Rolex TP52 World Championship in Barcelona, Spain

Irish in Action in TP52 World Championship in Barcelona

22nd August 2023 Racing

The Rolex TP52 World Championship has kicked off in Barcelona, Spain, with no clear favourite emerging yet. As the America's Cup teams intensify their training and testing off the Barcelona waters, all eyes are on the TP52 fleet, with sailors…

Overall TP52 Championships winner Takashi Okura's SLED (foreground) racing downwind against Hasso Platner's PHOENIX

Takashi Okura’s Sled Victorious in TP52 World Championship

7th November 2021 Racing

The Rolex TP52 World Championship is considered to be a benchmark for inshore yacht racing. The pinnacle event of the TP52 class season gathered ten teams from seven countries in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, for five days of competition. The…

Mia Connolly (centre) with her fellow winning crew on TP52 Zen, sailing out of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

West Cork’s Mia Connolly In Full Sail With TP52 Crew Just Months After Move Down Under

19th April 2019 West Cork

A young Irish sailor is making her mark Down Under after swapping the shores of Skibbereen for the bright lights of Sydney. Self-described “home bird” Mia Connolly had only spent a week outside of Ireland before upping sticks for Australia…

About the TP52 Racing Yacht

The TP52 racing yacht is a remarkable example of cutting-edge technology in the world of competitive yachting. Measuring 52 feet (15.85 metres) in length, this vessel is constructed entirely from carbon fibre, making it an incredibly light and agile craft.

The TP52 features a 6.25-metre high rig, complete with a fractional asymmetrical spinnaker and a self-tacking jib. This design reduces the workload of the crew, allowing for more efficient manoeuvres and freeing up the crew to focus on the mainsheet upwind and on two-sail reaches.

The spinnaker rigging set-up, measuring 15.00 m2, presents a challenge to even the most experienced crews, requiring them to be fit and perfectly coordinated. Maneuvering the boat requires athleticism due to the vessel's lack of inherent stability and the high speed generated by the fully battened mainsail and jib.

The TP52's hull is constructed of fibreglass-reinforced polyester in a foam sandwich layout, resulting in a weight of just 74kg. The fully battened mainsail and jib are made from a transparent Mylar laminate with orange or red Dacron trimming, while the spinnaker is manufactured from ripstop Nylon.

The mast is made up of three parts, featuring an aluminium bottom and middle section, with a polyester-fibreglass composite tip to increase mast bend and decrease overall weight. The capsizing moment, which can be generated by a heavy mast tip, is also reduced through this design. The TP52's foils are constructed from either aluminium or fibreglass, depending on the specific requirements of the vessel.

Overall, the TP52 racing yacht is an exceptional example of the latest advancements in yacht design and technology. Its lightweight construction, advanced rigging, and high-speed capabilities make it a top contender in the world of competitive yachting, challenging even the most skilled and experienced crews.