TP52 World Title Race Goes Down to Final Day Showdown

20th June 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Final Push — Trinity Racing leads the TP52 fleet downwind off Porto Cervo after a standout penultimate day at the Rolex TP52 World Championship, where Alpha+ holds a one-point lead over Sled Credit: Kurt Arrigo

The TP52 World Championship will be decided on the final day after another dramatic day of racing in Porto Cervo left the overall standings finely balanced. Just one point separates Alpha+ and Sled at the top of the leaderboard, while six teams remain within ten points of the lead with two races left to sail.

Swedish newcomer Trinity Racing was the standout performer on the penultimate day. The team posted a third and a race win to climb into third overall in their debut 52 SUPER SERIES campaign.

After eight races, Alpha+ holds the championship lead on 43 points. Sled is second on 44, while Trinity Racing has moved into third on 48 points. Alkedo Vitamina and Platoon Aviation are tied on 51 points, with Paprec sixth on 53.

Title Tussle: Alpha+ and Sled race side by side off Porto Cervo, with just one point separating the top two boats heading into the final day of the TP52 World Championship. Photo: Nico Martinez

The opening race was sailed in 7-8 knots of easterly breeze. Thailand's Vayu claimed victory after emerging from a tightly packed leading group. Alkedo Vitamina finished second, with Trinity Racing taking third. Sled and Alpha+ crossed fourth and fifth respectively.

The second race saw Trinity Racing convert their strong form into victory as the breeze increased to 9-10 knots. Brazil's Crioula finished second, while Turkish entry Provezza secured third.

A key moment came at the first windward mark when Vayu clipped the buoy while battling among the leaders. The resulting penalty ended the Thai team's hopes of another top result. Alpha+ maintained its slender overall advantage despite fifth- and seventh-place finishes on the day.

With light winds forecast for Saturday's concluding races, the championship remains wide open. The final two races are scheduled to start at 1 pm local time. The close standings underline the depth of competition in the TP52 fleet, regarded as one of the highest-performance and most closely matched keelboat classes in international sailing.

Published in TP52

Tagged under

Rolex TP52 World Championship

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Offshore

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.