Guilfoyle and Johnson on Sled for Victory at 52 Super Series in Porto Cervo

28th September 2025

Afloat.ie Team

Sled, with Ireland's Cian Guilfoyle and Simon Johnson on board, took victory in the 52 Super Series - Porto CervoSailing Week Credit: Nico Martinez

Ireland's Cian Guilfoyle and Simon Johnson were on board the TP52 Sled last week, winning the last event of the year and finishing second overall for the season at the 52 Super Series event at Porto Cervo, Italy.

In a busy September for the Wicklow-based Johnson, he also won the Maxi 1 World Championships with Galateia, as reported by Afloat here.

Johnson closes out the season in St Tropez with Galateia next week.

The 52 Super Series season came to a close in Sardinia with American Magic Quantum Racing crowned 2025 circuit champions.

The team, owned by Doug DeVos with Terry Hutchinson as tactician, secured its seventh title since the series began in 2012.

“This is a very emotional moment,” Hutchinson said. “I’m still processing the emotions and reflecting on how impressed I am with our entire team. We really are a unique family.”

Sled, owned by Takashi Okura with Italian tactician Checco Bruni, won the Porto Cervo stage by six points. Okura also received the Best Owner Driver award.

The TP52 fleet racing during the 52 Super Series at Porto Cervo Sailing Week Photo: Nico Martinez

“Winning in Porto Cervo always has a special taste,” Bruni said. “We had excellent wind conditions throughout the week and we are delighted to finish the season in second place.”

Third place at the Porto Cervo regatta went to Andy Soriano’s Alegre, guided by tacticians Paul Goodison and Pietro Sibello.

In the overall standings, Sled finished second behind American Magic Quantum Racing, while France’s Paprec, led by Jean-Luc Petithuguenin and tactician Loick Peyron, secured third.

Italy’s Alkedo powered by Vitamina ended its debut season in fourth place, exceeding expectations. Owner Andrea Lacorte collected the best owner-driver trophy.

Weather conditions cut the Porto Cervo event short, with storm cells preventing the final race. Seven races were completed.

YCCS Commodore Andrea Recordati said: “The 52 Super Series is exceptional in terms of the quality of the owners, crews and teams. Congratulations to Takashi Okura and to Doug DeVos on the 2025 title.”

The Porto Cervo regatta concluded the sporting season at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. The 52 Super Series will return in June 2026 for the Rolex TP52 World Championship.

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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.