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

25th September 2023

Harm Müller-Spreer and his German-flagged Platoon crew Credit: TP52 Series

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 boat fifth overall in the Super Series final standings (see results below).

After finishing on the end-of-season overall podium five times, Harm Müller-Spreer and his German-flagged Platoon crew finally clinched the 2023 52 SUPER SERIES title after a one-race light winds showdown on the Bay of Palma, the concluding decider of the Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week. But their 2023 championship title win could not be closer, finally eclipsing Ergin Imre's Turkish flagged rivals Provezza only on tie break.

After 45 races at five regattas, the two rival crews finish on the same 198 points aggregate. But as Platoon beat Provezza in this final event - fourth to their eighth - Müller-Spreer finally adds the 2023 season championship to the Rolex TP52 World Championship that Platoon won last month by a single point over Provezza.

Even so until the final finish gun on Sunday, it was incredibly close, Platoon carried a three points overall lead into today's one and only race and though both crews were ahead at different points - at one stage Provezza momentarily had a boat advantage they needed - but with just two separating Provezza in sixth and Platoon in ninth, the title slipped away.

Yet on social media, the series promoters report that the win was ultimately shared: "First equal, equal first. A beautiful sporting outcome saw the Platoon team and owner Harm Müller-Spreer choose to share the 2023 title trophy with Ergin Imre and the Provezza crew.

Puerto Portals 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week
1. PHOENIX (RSA) Hasso Plattner, 5+3+1+1+1+5+6+6+1 = 29
2. SLED (USA), Takashi Okura, 6+5,5(RDG)+5,5(RDG)+3+2+4+3+4+7 = 40
3. ALEGRE (GBR), Andy Soriano, 2+7+6+9+4+8+2+1+2 = 41
4. PLATOON (GER), Harm Müller-Spreer, 3+5,5(RDG)+5,5(RDG)+5,5(RDG)+5,5(RDG)+3+4+2+9 = 43
5. QUANTUM RACING POWERED BY AMERICAN MAGIC (USA), Doug DeVos, 4+4+3+5+9+2+9+5+3 = 44
6. GLADIATOR (GBR), Tony Langley, 1+10(DNF)+7+2+5+1+5+7+5+4(PEN) = 42
7. INTERLODGE (USA), Austin y Gwen Fragomen, 8+2+8+4+3+6+8+8+11 = 58
8. PROVEZZA (TUR), Ergin Imre, 9+6+2+11(DNF)+11(DNS)+12(DNS)+1+3+6 = 61
9. ALPHA+ (HKG), Shawn and Tina Kang, 7+1+9+6+7+9+10+11+4+1(PEN) = 65
10. VAYU (THA), Family Whitcraft, 11+5+5+7+6+10+7+9+8 = 68
11. PAPREC (FRA), Jean-Luc Pethuguenin, 10+8+4+8+8+7+11+10+10+1(PEN) = 77

52 SUPER SERIES 2023 FINAL STANDINGS
1. PLATOON (GER), Harm Müller-Spreer, 45+51+34+25+43 = 198
2. PROVEZZA (TUR), Ergin Imre, 34+42+35+26+61 = 198
3. QUANTUM RACING POWERED BY AMERICAN MAGIC (USA), Doug DeVos,40+43+54+43+44 = 224
4. GLADIATOR (GBR), Tony Langley, 40+66+41+34+47 = 228
5. SLED (USA), Takashi Okura, 45+52+46,5+51+40 = 234,5
6. ALEGRE (GBR), Andy Soriano, 43+64+46+44+41= 238
7. VAYU (THA), Familia Whitcraft, 58+48+65+54+68 = 293
8. PHOENIX (RSA) Hasso Plattner, 57+71+100+39+29 = 296
9. INTERLODGE (USA), Austin y Gwen Fragomen, 45+54+100+58+58 = 315
10. ALPHA+ (HKG), Shawn y Tina Kang, 65+91+72+66+65 = 359
11. PAPREC (FRA), Jean-Luc Pethuguenin, 56+81+58+88+77 = 360

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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.