TP52 World Championship

UNDERDOGS ALPHA PLUS LEAD BUT SWEDES HAVE A MIDSUMMER DREAM

As newcomers to the circuit this season, Joakim Sundberg’s Swedish-flagged Trinity Racing composed the best scoreline of the day with a third and a first place finish. This achievement propelled them to third place on the standings, just five points behind the top spot. Meanwhile, Shawn and Tina Kang’s Hong Kong crew on Alpha Plus leads the final day of the Rolex TP52 World Championship by a mere one point, surpassing 2021’s world champions Sled.

For the record, this was the closest and most intense day of racing so far this season. With 15 strong fleets, the conditions were perfect. The light sea breezes and perfectly flat waters ensured that speeds were very even upwind and downwind. Ed Baird, the tactician for the new Swedish-flagged team, Trinity, executed their simple plan consistently. They started towards the right end of the start line and made a sharp turn, which mostly allowed them to sail at their full speed potential without getting involved with other rivals. This strategy also maximized their time on starboard tack, giving them the right of way over approaching boats.

Alpha Plus and Sled exchanged the lead in the world championship over the course of the two races. In Race 7, which was won by Vayu, Sled finished fourth and Alpha Plus fifth. Consequently, the 2021 World Champions and 2026 circuit leaders regained the lead. However, during the second race, as they attempted to execute a pin end start, they had to abandon their position between Crioula and Platoon Aviation. Consequently, they were unable to secure a ninth-place finish. Alpha Plus also faced challenges by the first windward mark. Nevertheless, a crucial moment for the Kangs’ crew was when they managed to position one boat between them in seventh place and Sled in ninth place.

Fourth at the worlds in 2024 in Newport RI  and then on the podium for the first time ever in Puerto Portals, Alpha Plus are in all new territory going into Saturday’s world title showdown in the lead. But they have a rock solid afterguard in Ado Stead and Ian Moore and sailing with a potent mix of speed and confidence.

Rolex TP52 World Championship Porto Cervo 2026 Provisional Standings after eight of 10 races

1. Alpha Plus (HKG), Shawn & Tina Kang, 12+12+2+1+3+1+5+7 = 43
2. Sled, Takashi Okura, 5+1+6+12+5+2+4+9 = 44
3. Trinity (SWE), Joakim Sundberg, 10+13+3+2+12+4+3+1 = 48
4. Alkedo Vitamina (ITA), Andrea Lacorte, 1+9+10+5+6+14+2+4 = 51
5. Platoon Aviation (GER), Harm Müller-Spreer, 4+6+9+6+2+6+10+8 = 51
6. Paprec (FRA), Jean-Luc Petithuguenin, 13+4+1+3+4+9+8+11 = 53
7. Crioula (BRA), Eduardo & Renato Plass, 7+11+13+14+1+8+6+2 = 62
8. No Way Back (NED), Pieter Heerema, 6+2+7+8+8+3+13+15 = 62
9. Provezza (TUR), Ergin Imre, 8+10+5+13+7+5+11+3 = 62
10. Vayu (THA), Whitcraft Family, 3+3+14+11+9+10+1+12 = 63
11. Alegre (GBR), Andy Soriano, 11+8+4+10+11+7+9+6 = 66
12. Teasing Machine (FRA), Eric de Turckheim, 2+14+11+9+10+11+7+5 = 69
13. Gladiator (GBR), Tony Langley, 15+5+8+4+15+15+12+10 = 84
14. Caballo Loco (BRA), Mauro Dottori & Fabio Cotrim, 9+7+15+7+13+13+14+13 = 91
15. Vudu (ITA), Mauro Gestri, 14+15+12+15+14+12+15+14 = 111