The Real Club Naútico of Palma will host the TP52 World Championship from 6 to 11 October. Ten teams from eight different countries will go up against each other to win the World title.
” Ten entries really is excellent and matches my best hopes.” Explained TP52 Class Secretary, Rob Weiland this morning, confirming the entry for the 2009 TP52 World Championship, which takes place next October in Palma de Mallorca. The event is organised by World Sailing Management in conjunction with the Real Club Naútico de Palma (RCNP) and the TP52 Class.
The ten teams Weiland makes reference to, who have made their entry or have shown interest in participating the in the World Championship are: Valars (RUS), Synergy (RUS), Artemis (SWE), Matador (ARG), Bribón (ESP), Cristabella (GBR), Audi TP52 powered by Q8 (ITA), Henri Lloyd – Weapon of Choice (GBR), Spirit of Malouen VI – Paprec Recyclage (FRA) and Quantum Racing (USA), 2008 World Champions.
Eight of those teams are currently competing on the Caja Meditárraneo Region of Murcia Trophy, however two are not Audi MedCup Circuit particpants. “We will have the same organisation and some of the teams from the Circuit”, continues the Dutchman, “but so we are also talking about an event which is accessible and comfortable for new teams who want to measure up against the fleet racers from the Circuit”.
“The inclusiong of a French team is excellent news for the TP52 fleet” highlights Ignacio Postigo, Technical Director for the TP52 World Championship. The TP52 Class Secretary remembers the successful 2008 edition, which also took place in Spain, Lanzarote last October 2008. “The 2008 World Championship was a great event, and I think we can achieve something similar. There is always a great atmosphere at a World Championship; it is a competition that is loved by both owners and crews. The idea of being the World Champion of something is liked by all.”
“The fact that Spain will host the TP52 World Championship for the second time is no coincidence” explains Ignacio Postigo. The venue chosen to host the 2009 World's is well known and loved by the fleet and crews and that is also a major asset in guaranteeing the success of the event: “Having a base at the Real Club Naútico de Palma guarantees a friendly club atmosphere and this Club in particular is excellent and experienced in organising high level events. Palma is well known and loved by the owners and sailors. It is accessible and the climate in October should be very pleasant.” Concludes Postigo.
According to Juan Antonio Samper, Chairman of World Sailing Management, “The TP52 World Championship consolidates the position of World Sailing Management in high level sailing regattas and shows the natural evolution as all round event managers for international yachting events.”
The competition format should be identical to that adopted in the TP52 Series on the Audi MedCup Circuit involving an official training day (Tuesday 6th of October), a coastal race (Friday 9th of October) and a series of windward-leeward races for the remainder of the week to make up a total of ten scoring races without discards.”
2009 TP52 World Championship Provisional Entry List:
Team (Country), Owner, Helmsman
Quantum Racing (USA), Doug Devos/Fred Howe, Terry Hutchinson
Bribón (ESP), José Cusí, Thierry Peponnet
Matador (ARG), Alberto Roemmers, Guillermo Parada
Cristabella (GBR), John Cook, John Cook
Artemis (SWE), Torbjorn Tornqvist, Torbjorn Tornqvist
Audi TP52 powered by Q8 (ITA), Riccardo Simoneschi, Riccardo Simoneschi
Valars III (RUS), Kirill Podolsky, Serguei Chevtsov
Spirit of Malouen VI – Paprec Recyclage (FRA), Jean-Luc
Petithuguenin/PH Finance, Stephane Neve
Henri Lloyd-Weapon of Choice (GBR), Antony Langley, Tom Wilson
Synergy (RUS), Gateway Overseas Limiteds
