Aug 28, 2023
Platoon wins in Barcelona and wins its third world title at the last minute in the Rolex TP52 World Championship 2023. The German team Platoon of owner and helmsman Harm Müller-Spreer was proclaimed 2023 TP52 World Champion after a thrilling comeback in the last meters of the last race of the world competition.
The last day was disputed in a two-round grand final that would decide the identity of the champion. The scenario changed with an easterly breeze of between seven and ten knots, combined with a choppy sea that complicated the work of the crews.
In that final race, Provezza, leader of the 52 SUPER SERIES 2023, showed why he is the current leader; with a quick victory from start to finish. However, the German team would perform a masterful last stern that would allow them to move from fourth place at the last mark to second in the final meters, signing a second place that was worth a world crown.
Platoon, which arrived in Barcelona after winning the Menorca 52 SUPER SERIES Royal Cup in July, was winning its third world title after those achieved in 2017 and 2019. Their tactician, Vasco Vascotto, attributed the final "miracle" to his father who passed away a few months ago and paid tribute to the Platoon crew, especially the Mallorcan Olympic champion Jordi Calafat:
"I think my father was up there encouraging Terry (Hutchinson, Quantum Racing tactician) to go left and me to go right. Before the day started, Jordi and I had agreed that the most important thing was to stay calm and patient, and that the opportunity would come, as it did."
In the final standings, after adding up the results of this fourth and penultimate regatta of the season, Provezza continues to lead the standings with an 18-point advantage over Platoon. Third is the reigning champion, Quantum Racing powered by American Magic. The next event of the circuit is the Puerto Portals 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week, from September 18th to 23rd, in Mallorca.