Doug DeVos hands TP52 Class presidency over to Tony Langley at the TP52 Annual Class Meeting.

Tony Langley, owner and team boss of the TP52 Gladiator Sailing Team, has been elected president of the TP52 Class Sailing Association, succeeding Doug DeVos, who has held the position since 2017.

At the meeting Doug DeVos, one of the three 52 Super Series founders and a TP52 Class Member since 2005, gave a short overview of his involvement in TP52 sailing, the founding of the 52 Super Series and his period as Class President., concluding that the time had come to hand over the presidency.

He then asked the meeting to confirm, by an “aye” and applause, that a formal debate and ballot were not required to establish Tony Langley as his successor. This was met with a unanimous “aye” and warm applause.

Doug then presented the new President with a bottle of rum, proactively splicing the mainbrace.

Tony Langley, Chairman and CEO of Langley Holdings plc, the industrial group he founded in 1975 and its sole shareholder, has competed in the TP52 Class since the inception of the 52 SUPER SERIES in 2012, both as helmsman as well as tactician.

Commenting on his election, Langley said: “Doug has made an enormous contribution to the Class over many years, both as president and as one of its most successful competitors. We owe him a great deal of gratitude”.

“It is an honour to take over from him. The class is in excellent shape, with a strong international fleet and exceptionally competitive racing. My priority is to build on that success, working closely with our members and the 52 Super Series to ensure that the TP52 remains at the pinnacle of Grand Prix yacht racing.”​