The waters off Cascais, Portugal, once again bore witness to history. This time, it was American Magic Quantum Racing who etched their name deeper into sailing legend, capturing their eighth Rolex TP52 World Championship. But this victory wasn’t just another line in a storied legacy—it was the culmination of generational talent, fierce rivalry, and mental resilience tested to the breaking point.
A Team Forged from Experience and Youth
Led by owner Doug DeVos, Quantum Racing’s 2025 campaign showcased a unique fusion of seasoned veterans and breakthrough newcomers. At the heart of this synergy was tactician Terry Hutchinson, a name synonymous with precision and pressure sailing. Surrounding him were long-time collaborators—Sean Clarkson, James Dagg, Matt Cassidy, and Greg Gendell—all past world champions in their own right.
But what set this year’s victory apart was the arrival of new blood.
- Harry Melges IV, at just 24, became the youngest ever helmsman to steer a boat to TP52 world title glory.
- Sara Stone made history as the first female navigator to win the championship.
This was more than a win—it was a symbol of generational shift, blending institutional excellence with youthful nerve.
A Title Fought to the Final Leg
Despite a strong early lead during the regatta, Quantum Racing was nearly unseated by the surging French team Paprec, led by Jean-Luc Petithuguenin and ocean racing legend Loïck Peyron. In the final race, every tack counted. The French had a moment where they were virtually leading the standings—until one gust too many in the volatile river-mouth course shook up the fleet.
“This was the hardest of all our titles,” Hutchinson admitted at Cascais Marina. “The final day was chaos. When things went against us, they really went south. But we kept our heads. That’s what won it.”
It was indeed a day of extremes: 27-knot gusts slamming into 8-knot lulls, broken sails, high-stakes decisions, and near-disasters.
The French: Glorious in Defeat
If there was ever a team that pushed Quantum Racing to their absolute limits, it was Paprec.
Under Peyron’s guidance, the crew demonstrated blistering downwind speed and tactical courage. They weren’t afraid to challenge the Americans on every leg, particularly when the breeze kicked in. And they came within a single point of snatching the crown.
“No regrets,” Peyron said, his voice calm but proud. “We raced with heart. Second place is still a victory for us.”
At 65, Peyron is a rare presence—both a statesman and a warrior of the sport. His ability to inspire a crew and adapt to the razor-thin margins of TP52 sailing remains unmatched.
Sled’s Steady Hand on the Podium
For the second consecutive year, Takashi Okura’s Sled claimed a podium spot, showing consistency across all conditions. But they too fell victim to the randomness of the final day.
Don Cowie, mainsail trimmer on Sled, reflected:
“We broke a spinnaker. That cost us dearly. But we’re proud. Two years in a row on the podium is no small feat.”
Sled may not have won the title, but their strategic discipline and ability to remain competitive through challenging conditions have kept them in the championship hunt all season.
Final Standings — Rolex TP52 World Championship 2025
| Position | Team | Skipper/Owner | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | American Magic Quantum Racing | Doug DeVos | 42 |
| 2nd | Paprec | Jean-Luc Petithuguenin | 43 |
| 3rd | Sled | Takashi Okura | 51 |
| 4th | Phoenix | Tina & Hasso Plattner | 60 |
| 5th | Alkedo Vitamina | Andrea Lacorte | 61 |
| 6th | Alegre | Andy Soriano | 62 |
| 7th | Platoon Aviation | Harm Müller-Spreer | 63 |
| 8th | Gladiator | Tony Langley | 63 |
| 9th | Vayu | Whitcraft Family | 65 |
| 10th | Alpha+ | Shawn & Tina Kang | 71 |
| 11th | Provezza | Ergin Imre | 81 |
Beyond the Podium: Stories of Courage and Consistency
While the headlines belong to Quantum Racing, several other crews made statements of their own.
Phoenix: Top Owner-Driven Team
Tina and Hasso Plattner’s Phoenix team quietly climbed to a 4th-place finish, edging out Vitamina and Alegre in a tight mid-fleet battle. Their strong showing, especially in the final two races, reflected precise crew handling and a smart reading of wind shifts.
Notably, they were also awarded top owner-driver team, a distinction that highlights the depth of talent among privately helmed boats—an essential element of TP52 identity.
Platoon and Gladiator: Dead Even, Worlds Apart
A tie in points doesn’t always reflect identical stories. Both Platoon Aviation (GER) and Gladiator (GBR) finished with 63 points, but took very different paths:
- Platoon, with its technically sharp German crew and past championships, had moments of brilliance—like their Race 7 win—but lacked consistency.
- Gladiator, with owner Tony Langley at the helm, had a more turbulent regatta, struggling early but making a late push that nearly broke into the top five.
For both, the season’s not over—and neither team is out of the 52 SUPER SERIES title race.
52 SUPER SERIES 2025: Overall Standings After Three Events
The Cascais regatta was also the third event in the broader 52 SUPER SERIES calendar, and the leaderboard is beginning to show separation.
Cumulative Standings
| Rank | Team | Country | Event 1 | Event 2 | Cascais | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American Magic Quantum Racing | USA | 18 | 23 | 42 | 93 |
| 2 | Sled | USA | 13 | 58 | 51 | 122 |
| 3 | Paprec | FRA | 23.5 | 63 | 43 | 129.5 |
| 4 | Alkedo Vitamina | ITA | 28 | 49 | 61 | 138 |
| 5 | Platoon Aviation | GER | 36 | 44 | 63 | 143 |
Quantum Racing now holds a significant lead, but with two events left in the season, nothing is decided yet. News 52 followers will be watching closely to see whether Sled can mount a comeback or if Paprec’s rise continues into the autumn races.
Generational Shift: The Rise of Melges and Stone
What elevates Quantum Racing’s 2025 title to more than a statistic is the symbolic passing of the torch. At just 24 years old, Harry Melges IV represents the evolution of a legacy—grandson of Melges performance sailing founder, and now a world champion in his own right.
Equally groundbreaking is the presence of Sara Stone, whose role as navigator was essential throughout the regatta. Her appointment was not tokenistic—her calls on wind, current, and laylines helped secure the narrowest of victories.
These figures redefine what leadership looks like in high-performance sailing, and their success is bound to inspire a new generation entering the sport.
A Word on Cascais: Still the Ultimate Test
Ask any veteran of the TP52 circuit and they’ll tell you—Cascais is where champions are made.
- The venue demands versatility: teams must master light-air races and heavy gusts, sometimes within the same hour.
- The river-mouth course on the final day, peppered with chop and shifting pressure zones, punished mistakes instantly.
- The psychological toll of back-to-back races with no room for error requires supreme team trust.
For Quantum Racing, this was their third TP52 world title in Cascais—a clear testament to their ability to adapt and thrive under extreme conditions.
“There’s no better place to test your character,” Hutchinson said. “Cascais doesn’t hand out titles. You have to take them.”
What’s Next for the TP52 Fleet?
With two events remaining in the 52 SUPER SERIES, all eyes now turn to Puerto Portals and the final event in Barcelona. While Quantum holds a sizable points cushion, Sled and Paprec remain very much in the hunt. Further down, teams like Phoenix, Vitamina, and Platoon are still chasing podium finishes and season-best results.
Follow all updates via 52 news channels and the official news 52 sailing feed, where fleet reports, video coverage, and onboard interviews offer deep insights into the world’s premier monohull circuit.
