2009 TP52 Activity...

During the 2008 - 2009 winter quite a few TP52's changed hands and moved to racing areas al over the globe. Many were sold to the USA, some to european and australian owners, one is on its way to Dubai. In Southern California (where else) an owners initiave has given us the SoCal 52 Class, based on TP52's racing on IRC Certificates. Tom Pollack, our former TP52 Class President supports the initiative.

The global financial crisis hits yacht racing undoubtedly. Regatta participation numbers are down all over the globe, boatyards close, designers have less work, owners and crews scale down their programs. The TP52 Class beginning of October last year looked certain to have 8 new boats and 18 - 20 boats racing the 2009 MedCup. The designers had 8 confirmed sales, slots were booked at boatyards.
But on the horizon were dark clouds and once these got nearer and darker teams, one after the other, had to cancel their commitments.

Especially the fully sponsored spanish teams were hit hard, it is sad to see years of intense work end in the forced sale of their boats. Three AC Teams cancelled their initiaves to join the TP52 racing, one about 6 weeks into their new boat's construction. AC Teams that were allready enjoying TP52 racing, like Team Germany, stopped.
But Team New Zealand joined us, they have big hearts the kiwi's when it comes to yacht racing and keeping a team together.

Spain, where the TP52 Class found its much appreciated second home, is the centre stage of our main event AUDI MedCup. Recently the Real Club Nautico Palma, World Sailing Management (the MedCup organisers) and the TP52 Class agreed to be partners for the 2009 TP52 World Championship, to be raced from 6 - 11 October on the Bay of Palma. This underlines our support for spanish sailing.

Very close now to the first 2009 MedCup event, Alicante, it looks like we will see 13 TP52's on the starting line, 2 less on average than last year's MedCup. During the winter Medcup, GP42 Class and TP52 Class put reality in perspective and decided to team up for the 2009 Medcup. Together we expect to offer one of the best shows yacht racing provides this year.

All boats are coming together in Valencia for the "Measurement Week". They will be measured and inspected by the same measurers under the same conditions. Compliments to all teams for their support for this initiave aimed at even fairer racing.

Last year the TP52 Class Members decided to introduce a few changes for the 2009 TP52 Rule, the most visible one being the reduced requirements on standing headrooom, resulting in a cleaner, more efficient and some say meaner coachroof. Not only the 3 new boats sport this feature, but also some of the existing boats gave it the chop. Like recently the Pisco Sour, another team refusing to give up what it likes doing best. At least till the fat lady sings.

This year the Members will decide how to progress with transforming the TP52 Rule away from those IMS influences resulting in unwanted features as internal ballast and a cumbersome measuring process towards a new concept without these weak points. This will lead to a concept that is even closer to the latest top of the bill IRC designs. The ideal "dual purpose" boat for handicap and boat-for-boat racing in our sizerange is within sight.

I think the TP52 Class is one of the positive powers in modern yacht racing.
Support us, visit our regattas, join us if you can, or simply follow us on the web.

Rob Weiland
TP52 Class Manager








In The Meantime...

Down Under:
Bob Steel, winner of the 2008 Sydney Hobart race and three-time winner of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, always planned to be at the island for the big event in August this year, but now that plan has become a little bit easier.
 
At the weekend he sailed his TP52, Quest, to a perfect score of four wins in the NSW IRC Championship at the Sail Port Stephens Regatta. As well as claiming the championship trophy he left the regatta with an additional prize - free entry into Race Week, which will be staged from August 22 to 29.
 
“Race Week is a fabulous regatta, and we were always planning to have Quest back there this year. Now I’m worried that people will think I’m a cheap-skate and only turning up this time because I got a free entry,” Steel said with a laugh. “Make sure everyone knows that’s not the case.”
 
This year Steel will be trying his hardest to secure his fourth Race Week title in the Grand Prix IRC division. Quest was in the hunt for overall top honours last year, but her run ended when the keel clipped the edge of the appropriately named Surprise Rock during a passage race around some of the magnificent uninhabited islands in the tropical Whitsunday Group.
 
Race Week is Australia’s most awarded keelboat regatta and biggest offshore classic. In 2008 it attracted a record fleet of 225 for its 25th anniversary event.

www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au
 
Valencia:
Vasco Vascotto's TP52 Pisco Sour getting ready in Valencia. The America's Cup seems to be in a long dark tunnel with hardly any light at its end but the buildup towards the AUDI MedCup continues unabated. It was the turn of Vasco Vascotto's modified TP52 Pisco Sour to arrive in Valencia.

She was put on the water early in the morning and the first training will take place in a couple of days. Wednesday and Thursday will be the official measurement days and all GP42's and TP52's present in Valencia will be checked in order to see if they comply with their respective box-rules.

Stay tuned to Valencia Sailing for all the information on the top fleet racing circuit. There will be some exclusive news and photos soon.

www.valenciasailing.blogspot.com

Solent:
IRC National Championship.   
Friday 5th June - Sunday 7th June.

www.rorc.org

California:
Hoag Regatta
June 12 - 14:      
Start of the SoCal 52 racing program.

www.hoagcupregatta.com

AUDI Hamilton Race Week

AUDI Q8 sporting the 2009 style coachroof.