Quantum Racing returns at 52 SUPER SERIES Cascais

Cascais, Portugal (July 16, 2019) – After a somewhat less than perfect regatta last month in Puerto Sherry and a seventh place overall, 2018 52 SUPER SERIES champions Quantum Racing restored their winning mojo today in classic local conditions to lead the Cascais 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week.

Second behind Provezza in the first race, which was contested in 17-22kts of NW’ly breeze, Quantum Racing executed a typical Cascais race winning strategy in the second windward-leeward, starting by the committee boat, tacking right early and leading all the way around the fast, bumpy Cascais track.

And on the final downwind, as if to shrug off the pent up frustrations from Puerto Sherry, they more than doubled their lead, surfing away to win by 240 metres from Bronenosec.

Quantum Racing’s three-point aggregate sees them three points clear of three boats – Provezza, Bronenosec, and Azzurra – after the first day of racing at this renowned high-wind venue where last year they won the Rolex TP52 World Championship.

“We like it when it gets kind of crazy here in Cascais, and it was that kind of day,” said Ed Baird, the Quantum Racing skipper-helm. “The second start was very hectic with all kinds of action. But once we got our nose out to the right it became fairly straight forward. There are always a lot of lines of pressure and puffs and if you get just in the right place then you can take off and that’s what we did.”

After a victory in the first race, seemingly continuing their winning run from Puerto Sherry, Provezza had a technical issue between races – a jib fixing gave way twice – and had to ask for time to repair, going on to fifth in the seven-boat fleet.

“We had a bit of a hiccup in the pre-start and could not get to the right side of the course enough,” explained Provezza helm John Cutler. “But then were in good order coming to the bottom mark in second and the kite did not come down as we were expecting it to.

“There were a couple of other little problems, and by the time we had that sorted out the first four had disappeared. I have never steered a TP52 here in the breeze before so I came with a little bit of trepidation, but it was great.”

As ever, in the breeze in Cascais it is always possible to make big gains – and losses. Platoon were over the start line and had to round the boat and recross. Seventh all the way round, they gained two on the last run with a come-from-behind charge.

Winds through last year’s World Championship were more than 20 knots on every day of the regatta and the forecast seems to promise a repeat this year – Day 1 delivered.

Racing at the Cascais 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week extends from July 16 to 20.

Results after Day 1 (2 races)
1. Quantum Racing (USA) (Doug DeVos) (2,1) 3 p.
2. Provezza (TUR) (Ergin Imre) (1,5) 6 p.
3. Bronenosec (RUS) (Vladimir Liubomirov) (4,2) 6 p.
4. Azzurra (ARG/ITA) (Alberto/Pablo Roemmers) (3,3) 6 p.
5. Platoon (GER) (Harm Müller-Spreer) (5,4) 9 p.
6. Phoenix 11 (RSA) (Hasso/Tina Plattner) (6,6) 12 p.
7. Alegre (USA/GBR) (Andrés Soriano) (7,7) 14 p.

52 SUPER SERIES – Cascais details – Results – Facebook

Overall 52 SUPER SERIES Standings (After 2 Regattas)
1. Provezza (TUR) (Ergin Imre) 66 p.
2. Platoon (GER) (Harm Müller-Spreer) 68 puntos.
3. Azzurra (ARG/ITA) (Alberto/Pablo Roemmers) 71 p.
4. Bronenosec (RUS) (Vladimir Liubomirov) 77 p.
5. Quantum Racing (USA) (Doug DeVos) 80 p.
6. Alegre (USA/GBR) (Andrés Soriano) 88 p.
7. Sled (USA) (Takashi Okura) 92 p.
8. Phoenix 11 (RSA) (Hasso/Tina Plattner) 108 p.

The 52 SUPER SERIES is established as the world’s leading grand prix monohull yacht racing circuit. The 2019 season will mark the eighth season of the 52 SUPER SERIES which grew from the ashes of the TP52 MedCup which finished in 2011 when the principal sponsor withdrew.

52 SUPER SERIES 2019
May 21-25 – Menorca 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week – Menorca, Spain
June 18-22 – Puerto Sherry 52 SUPER SERIES Royal Cup – Cadiz, Spain
July 16-20 – Cascais 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week – Cascais, Portugal
Aug 25-29 – Rolex TP52 World Championship Puerto Portals – Mallorca, Spain
Sept 24-28 – Porto Cervo 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week – Sardinia, Italy

Source: 52 SUPER SERIES