Andi Robertson

The cautious restart of the TP52 circuit is indicative of the ‘steady as she goes’ approach to re-opening the racing circuit. Yet there is a groundswell of enthusiasm

It seems like a relatively slow take off for the 52 Super Series, quite like other fully international circuits that have private owners involved. The good news is that obligation to return to the three venues that were cancelled this year Saint Tropez, Galicia and Cascais. No complaints there. Meantime I am delighted to see both Will Harris and there is a solid groundswell of Ireland’s Tom Dolan near the enthusiasm among the owners front of the Figaro fleet in the to get back on the race courses Transat en Double Concarneauagain, but it really does look Saint Barthelemy. As I right like it will be 2022 before the they are second and third. circuit returns to full strength, Considering that Harris did just whatever that turns out to be. the one season in the Figaro

What is good news is seeing 3 – and shone – and is sailing owners returning to the class with Catalan co-skipper Pep like Austin and Gwen Fragomen, Costa who has just started in the couple from the New York the Figaro, their performance

YC who are now on to their fifth is pretty amazing, but not

TP52 since they started racing a surprise. Costa’s father is more seriously in 2007. Austin a Barcelona shipping agent had something of a health scare and mad keen Mini sailor. which put their programme on He is business partner to ice despite having just built a ‘I DO TEND TO THINK THAT Didac Costa (no relation at all) new boat for 2018 which became Gladiator. And just as Tony OWNERS WHO CAN AFFORD and co-owned Didac’s IMOCA One Planet One Ocean (formerly

Langley seized the opportunity to IT, POST PANDEMIC, WILL Ellen’s Kingfisher). The pair are a buy up the Interlodge as it came to market, so the Fragomens WANT TO CHALLENGE great match, both super smart and able to sail fast for long periods. have taken on the well sorted THEMSELVES MORE’ Will has played a key role with

Azzurra when the Roemmers Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia family TP52 programme programme and when Boris finally stopped last season. announced his programme to build a new boat he was

The Fragomens are not in their first flush of youth full of praise for Will and said he is sure Harris will but can’t wait to be back on the water and love sailing continue on to The Ocean Race and be a significant asset. in Europe and the Mediterranean in particular. Charles Darbyshire who ran The Artemis

And, according to Rob Weiland there are still new Academy which gave Harris his first training owners out there – not many, granted – who are ready in offshore racing says of Harris, to take the step up to the TP52 and the 52 Super Series. “Will is a sailor who will never make the same mistake

I do tend to think that owners who can afford it, post twice. There are plenty of good guys out there who will pandemic, will want to challenge themselves more make the same mistake multiple times. He’s someone and emerge more ambitious, or at least determined who quite quickly soaks up the information, he listens, to get more from their grand prix sailing. considers and banks knowledge. And now he has grown

Look out for the 20th Anniversary Invitational Regatta into someone who really understands the business and he from Puerto Portals August 23-28th. There promises to really helped Boris and was able to take on a share of their be 17-20 TP52s, more than half which will have been commitment to sponsors. And he knows intrinsically invited from outside the 52 Super Series and boats of how to make a boat go quickly. And the other thing is all vintages and generations. Coming a few weeks after that he sails multiple different boats. When you look at

Copa del Rey it promises to be a great event which the French ‘greats’ like Michel Desjoyeaux, Jean Le Cam many hope will spark even more interest in the class ANDI ROBERTSON and the like they are super strong in a whole variety of and perhaps inspire owners to do a few more regattas. An offshore sailing expert, few people classes, they sailed Formula 40 multihulls, the Figaro,

Long term, with interest growing more and more can match Andi’s Tour Voile, and the thing is now that crews are getting in the USA, perhaps a welcome return to the US in in insight into the big boat world, both in smaller and smaller and so sailors who are adaptable and 2023 will be on the cards. For sure 2022 will honour the the UK and globally really skilled in all areas are the ones who will do well.”