Puerto Portals once again welcomed the 52 SUPER SERIES fleet, celebrating its tenth consecutive year hosting the event. Day one delivered just a single race due to conditions on the Bay of Palma, but it was enough for Andy Soriano’s Alegre to set the tone. The British-flagged team claimed victory, making their best possible start to the regatta and announcing themselves as early contenders.
What made this opener especially significant was the debut of Olympic gold medallist Paul Goodison with Alegre. His arrival marked not only a personal milestone but also underlined a wave of lineup changes that rippled across the top boats on the opening day. Alegre, Vayu, and Alpha+—the first three finishers—all showcased fresh additions to their afterguard, a factor that clearly influenced the results.
Returning to Winning Ways
Alegre’s win carried extra meaning. Just weeks ago, the team had finished sixth at the Rolex TP52 World Championship. Before today, their last race victory came on the opening day in Baiona, Galicia, back in June. The triumph in Mallorca therefore felt like both redemption and validation of the crew’s technical updates.
Between Cascais and Puerto Portals, the Alegre technical team implemented upgrades designed to boost performance. These adjustments paid immediate dividends in the shifting 12–17 knot breeze and awkward chop of the Bay of Palma. Upwind and downwind, Alegre looked sharper, with Goodison seamlessly blending into the team’s rhythm.
“The guys did a really good job sailing the boat, and Andy was really locked into steering,” said Goodison. “For me, adjusting from fast foiling boats to the TP52 is a challenge. On a foiler, you make a mistake and recover quickly. Here, a single error can leave you waiting for another chance—or sometimes, no chance at all. It’s a different kind of pressure, but one I really enjoy.”
Tactical Mastery from the Start
Alegre’s dominance began with positioning. Starting from the left side of the fleet, they gained early control and extended their lead at the first mark, never relinquishing it. Behind them, Vayu and Alpha+ also reaped the benefits of their refreshed afterguards.
The Whitcraft family’s Vayu secured second place with local navigator Elvira Llabrés joining the crew. Alpha+, sailed by Shawn and Tina Kang, followed in third with the tactical expertise of Ado Stead. Each of these teams brought new perspectives and voices into their strategy rooms, which clearly paid off on day one.
Doug DeVos’ American Magic Quantum Racing, leaders on the overall circuit standings, found themselves in the mix early but faltered later. After rounding near the front with Vayu, they slipped to fifth by the finish—an opening they will need to address quickly if they want to defend their leadership position.
Perspectives from the Newcomers
The reshaped lineups proved to be more than cosmetic. They added new tactical depth, fresh energy, and, in some cases, hometown expertise.
For Ado Stead, Alpha+ represents both a challenge and an opportunity. “This is a super team to be part of,” he explained. “Nick Egnot-Jones steered the boat well, and although we put ourselves a little behind at the start, we gained on the first run and second beat. It was tricky with the chop rolling off the cliffs, but we worked hard and came away with a solid result.”
For Vayu, Mallorcan navigator Elvira Llabrés brought invaluable local knowledge and professional pedigree. She previously worked with Rán Racing, BMW Oracle, and INEOS Britannia, and now returned to her home waters as part of the Thai entry. “I’ve only been sailing a TP52 in race mode for three days,” Llabrés said, “but today felt just like training. Communication with Manu Weiller was easy—we’ve sailed together before—and though now we speak in English, it flowed naturally.”
Her impact was immediate, helping Vayu to outperform expectations in their first outing.
Puerto Portals Leaderboard After Race 1
The standings after the opening race of Puerto Portals 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week highlighted how quickly fortunes can change:
| Position | Team | Country | Owner/Skipper | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alegre | GBR | Andy Soriano | 1 |
| 2 | Vayu | THA | Whitcraft Family | 2 |
| 3 | Alpha+ | HKG | Shawn & Tina Kang | 3 |
| 4 | Provezza | TUR | Ergin Imre | 4 |
| 5 | American Magic Quantum Racing | USA | Doug DeVos | 5 |
| 6 | Alkedo | ITA | Andrea Lacorte | 6 |
| 7 | Sled | USA | Takashi Okura | 7 |
| 8 | Crioula | BRA | Eduardo & Renato Plass | 8 |
| 9 | Gladiator | GBR | Tony Langley | 9 |
| 10 | Platoon Aviation | GER | Harm Müller-Spreer | 10 |
| 11 | Teasing Machine | FRA | Eric de Turckheim | 11 |
| 12 | Paprec | FRA | Jean-Luc Petithuguenin | 12 |
With only one race in the books, the table is still wide open. But Alegre’s sharp execution and technical improvements suggest they will be hard to beat if momentum continues in their favor.
Looking Ahead
Racing resumes Wednesday with the aim of completing up to three races, weather permitting. With twelve boats on the line and minimal margin for mistakes, every decision will carry weight. For Alegre, the challenge is maintaining consistency, while rivals like Quantum Racing must regroup quickly.
The winds on the Bay of Palma are expected to remain shifty, promising plenty of drama in the coming races. The combination of new crew lineups, technical tweaks, and high-level tactical battles means this regatta is shaping up as one of the most unpredictable of the season.
Inside the Strategy: What Makes Alegre’s Win Stand Out
Every regatta in the 52 SUPER SERIES has its defining moments. For Alegre, the opening win at Puerto Portals wasn’t simply about starting strong; it was a statement that preparation, adaptability, and leadership matter as much as raw speed.
The team’s tactical edge stemmed from their decision to commit to the left side of the start. In sailing, especially in the tightly packed TP52 fleet, early positioning can dictate the rest of the race. By securing control at the top of the beat, Alegre avoided the chaos of mid-fleet battles and maintained a clear lane to build their lead.
Paul Goodison’s arrival also brought an injection of Olympic-level decision-making. His experience in fast foiling craft sharpened his ability to anticipate shifts and transitions, even though the TP52 demands different instincts. The balance between Soriano’s helming, Goodison’s tactical input, and the crew’s execution was evident in how seamlessly the boat responded to changing conditions.
How the Bay of Palma Shapes Racing
Puerto Portals sits on the Bay of Palma, one of the world’s most iconic racecourses. The venue is famous for its thermal breezes, often funneled by the surrounding cliffs, and for the awkward chop that tests both boat handling and tactical calls.
On the opening day, winds ranged between 12 and 17 knots, with chop rolling in from the right. Such conditions reward boats that can adjust quickly between upwind efficiency and downwind acceleration. Alegre’s technical updates between Cascais and Mallorca allowed them to handle both phases with stability.
Local knowledge also proved critical. Vayu’s choice to bring in Elvira Llabrés demonstrated just how important it is to understand these waters. A Mallorcan sailor herself, Llabrés helped her team anticipate shifts that foreign crews might have missed, an edge that lifted them to second place.
The Ripple Effect of Afterguard Changes
The top three boats—Alegre, Vayu, and Alpha+—all introduced new blood into their afterguards. This trend reflects the ever-evolving nature of grand prix sailing, where teams constantly search for the right mix of strategy, communication, and experience.
For Alegre, Goodison’s debut proved immediately valuable. For Vayu, Llabrés’ navigation and familiarity with the Bay of Palma gave them confidence in tight situations. For Alpha+, Ado Stead’s tactical nous delivered a podium finish on a tricky day.
These changes highlight how sailing isn’t just about equipment. It’s about trust and teamwork under pressure. New voices can reshape a team’s confidence, especially when they align with the skipper’s vision.
The Pressure on Quantum Racing
Doug DeVos’ American Magic Quantum Racing entered Puerto Portals as circuit leaders, but their fifth-place finish in the opener raises questions. Despite a solid start, they lost ground at the second beat—a slip that underscored how quickly momentum can turn against even the most consistent program.
For Quantum Racing, the challenge will be bouncing back. In a twelve-boat fleet, every point matters, and a single off-day can shift the championship balance. With Provezza, Sled, and Platoon Aviation also lurking, the margin for error is virtually nonexistent.
Why Puerto Portals Matters to the Circuit
This regatta carries weight beyond its immediate results. Celebrating its tenth consecutive year hosting the 52 SUPER SERIES, Puerto Portals has become a cornerstone of the circuit. It is where reputations are built, rivalries sharpen, and technical innovations are tested under demanding conditions.
The event also reflects the international scope of the fleet. From British entries like Alegre and Gladiator, to Turkish, Thai, Italian, American, Brazilian, German, and French teams, Puerto Portals brings together some of the best-funded and most professional sailing programs in the world. It is a true test bed for grand prix monohull competition.
Voices from the Dockside
Sailors often describe Puerto Portals as both punishing and rewarding. For Goodison, it is about rediscovering the thrill of tactical racing after years on high-speed foilers. For Llabrés, it is about sailing at the highest level on home waters. For Stead, it is about proving Alpha+ can compete with the circuit’s giants.
Each voice adds texture to the story. They remind us that beyond the sails and hardware, the 52 SUPER SERIES is about individuals striving for excellence in a sport where the smallest detail can decide an entire race.
Anticipating the Races Ahead
With up to three races scheduled for the next session, unpredictability looms large. If the breeze strengthens, expect teams like Sled and Provezza to push aggressively, while lighter winds could play into the hands of those with fine-tuned technical setups like Alegre.
The stakes are high. A strong day could propel a mid-fleet team into contention, while a single tactical mistake could undo hours of preparation. In this sense, Puerto Portals mirrors life on the edge—risk and reward balanced on every decision.
The Broader Significance of Technical Evolution
Alegre’s upgrades after Cascais highlight the relentless pursuit of marginal gains in modern sailing. In a fleet where boats are largely identical by design, small differences in rig tuning, sail design, or onboard communication can tilt the balance.
The victory serves as a case study in how technical investment translates into performance. By addressing weaknesses, especially in handling chop and transitioning between wind phases, Alegre positioned themselves to seize opportunities when they appeared.
