Already with one new boat due to be built for the 2014 season, Phoenix for Brazilian owner Eduardo de Souza Ramos, at least three leading TP52 owners have signalled that they are going to build new for the 2015 season. And venues for the six event 2014 SUPER SERIES season, in both the USA and Europe, have been inked on to the calendar.
Next year, 2014, is expected to be a season of slight growth in the lead up to an updated version of the TP52 rule which is to be developed with a view to promote the building of a new series of faster, even more exciting 52’s for the 2015 season and beyond.
The three shareholding board members of the 52 SUPER SERIES have committed to build during the winter of 2014-2015 and others have already indicated they are seriously looking into joining the initiative. The trio of owners, Niklas Zennström, Doug DeVos and the Roemmers family have also guaranteed financial support for 52 SUPER SERIES for the next three seasons at least.
A strategic plan for the SERIES is being finalised under the stewardship of 52 SUPER SERIES CEO Agustin Zulueta which is scheduled to be published before the end of this summer.
Next season’s 52 SUPER SERIES is billed to have a similar look and feel to 2013. It will start with US regattas again in JANUARY in KEY WEST, MARCH in MIAMI. There will be four events in Europe. CAPRI, Italy in MAY, PORTO CERVO, Sardinia in JUNE the COPA DEL REY in PALMA, MALLORCA in AUGUST and an amazing end-of-season event in IBIZA in SEPTEMBER.
A strategic update of the TP52 rule is being drafted presently, in cooperation with active TP52 designers such as Rolf Vrolijk and Marcelino Botin. The objectives are to promote new boat builds - making the boats faster still, delivering even more fun for owners and crew - whilst continuing to keep budgets under control.
At the same time the class is proud to remain firm to its roots as a ‘development’ class tightly bound by a box rule concept which continues to stimulate owners, crews and the marine businesses around the world, from design offices, boat builders and engineers, through rig and sail manufacturers, to component manufacturers.
The changes to the 2015 rule include
- A reduction in displacement by 200kgs to 7000kgs.
- Draft increase by 15cms to 3.5 metres.
- Composite rigging and backstay deflectors will lead to re-engineering and weight reduction aloft by approx 50kgs.
- Bowsprits grow by 70cms.
- Sail area upwind and downwind will increase.
TP52 Class Manager Rob Weiland notes: “ For 2014 it will be possible to build to the ‘new’ numbers and rules, but the 2014 boat will be reigned in for next season on draft, displacement and righting moment to be at par with the existing boats. Then looking to 2015, existing 52 SUPER SERIES boats can quite easily be adapted to be on par with those 2015 new builds.. Once brought up to the right numbers existing boats that were built between 2009 and 2012 will still be competitive at reasonable cost. We aim for the upgrade to be no more than EUR 100K excluding new sails.”
“ It is our intention to do as much as possible to facilitate new teams entering the circuit as well as to preserve the value of the existing fleet and to continue developing, from time to time, planned, incremental changes in order to ensure we are sailing competitive, fast and fun boats.” Says Agustin Zulueta, CEO of the 52 SUPER SERIES
Further information on new builds and next year’s exact dates and venues will be published in coming weeks.
52 SUPER SERIES 2013 Event Calendar:
- Quantum Key West Race Week, Key West, Florida, January 20 – 25, 5 day WL racing, dual scoring IRC & 52 Super Series.
- 52 World Championship, Miami, Florida, March 5 - 9, 5 day WL racing, TP52s and IRC52s.
- Trofeo Conde de Godo, Barcelona, May 23 - 26, 4 day WL racing, IRC52s invited.
- Royal Cup, Ibiza, July 2 - 6, 4 day WL & 1 day Coastal, TP52s and IRC52s.
- Copa del Rey, Palma, July 29 - August 3, 6 day WL racing, dual scoring IRC & 52 Super Series.
- AUDI Week Of The Straits, Porto Cervo, September 10 – 14, 3 day WL & 2 day Coastal, TP52s and IRC52s.
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