The 52 Super Series is won by teams of skillful sailors, and the setup of the class means that the ages of the boat is of less importance.
[2] The 52 Super Series is set up thanks to the initiative of the Argentinian Alberto Roemmers (ARG, Azzurra/Matador), Doug DeVos (USA, Quantum Racing) and Niklas Zennström (SWE, Rán Racing) in collaboration with the TP 52 Class Manager Rob Weiland (NED) and Lars Böcking (GER) of Jacaranda Marketing (SPA-GER) who put the concept together.
The ideal is to deliver a mix of venues, owners, and crews enjoy sailing at, embrace even, close, friendly grand prix racing.
Four owners initially commit to the full season of five regattas in Spain and Sardinia: Azzurra, Quantum Racing, Rán, and Tony Langley (GBR) of Gladiator The first event in this inaugural year is Barcelona's Conde de Godó Trophy where the 'core four' are joined by ALL4ONE sponsored by Audi.
Six boats compete, the 'core four' have added competition from Paprec Recyclage (FRA, Jean Luc Petithuguenin) and Powerplay (BVI/GBR, Tony Cunningham).
Barcelona is followed by the Royal Cup in Ibiza, Copa del Rey culminating in the Audi Week of the Straits in September at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.
The Barclays 52 Super Series starts in Capri in light winds, where the 52s visit for the first time, travels to Sardinia for the Audi TP 52 World Championship in June, the MAPFRE Copa del Rey in August in Palma culminating in the ZENITH Royal Cup Marina Ibiza in September.
Finally in Ibiza Quantum Racing do enough to win the regatta ahead of Azzurra while Takashi Okura's Sled – preparing for a full, new boat campaign in 2015 finish fourth.
Because the new generation of boats were being built through the winter, the 2015 season started not in the USA at Key West but instead was a conventional Europe only circuit comprising five regattas in Spain, Italy and Portugal.
So father Doug and son Dalton alternated at different regattas – and actually split the Copa del Rey helming role.
Azzurra hit their stride on their home waters and won the Audi Settimana delle Bocche with a three points cushion.
At the Cascais Cup in Portugal, Azzurra clinched the season title with a day to spare and Quantum Racing won the regatta.
Gaastra Palma Vela in late April had a full TP 52 entry as crews sought to ensure they were fully primed and ready to hit the straps straight away in Tuscany.
Twelve boats raced in Porto Cervo at the Audi Settimana delle Bocche and at the 52 World Championship in Menorca.
New teams to the circuit this season – Peter Harrison's Sorcha (GBR) and Richard Cohen's Phoenix (USA) – dipped their toes in the water at two events, enjoyed it, and have committed to do more in 2017.
A low points scoring system based on the final standings of each individual race rewards consistency among the fleet.