Jean-Luc Petithuguenin’s Paprec made the strongest opening statement at the 52 SUPER SERIES Valencia Sailing Week, taking the provisional lead after the first two races of the season finale.
Racing on the America’s Cup waters off Malvarrosa Beach, the fleet encountered light to moderate breezes and flat water as a record 16 TP52s from 11 nations assembled for the final event of the 2026 52 SUPER SERIES season.
Paprec opened the regatta with a second-place finish before adding a third in the second race, giving the French team five points and the overall lead. With Loïck Peyron calling tactics and Yoann Richomme navigating, the team recovered from difficult starts in both races and consistently found the favourable side of the course.
The opening day underlined the narrow margins across the fleet. VĀYU finished eighth before securing victory in the second race to sit second overall on 10 points, level with Sled, which recorded two fifth-place finishes. Alkedo Cetilar followed in fourth on 11 points, after winning the second race following a tenth-place opening result.
For Trinity Racing, the day brought contrasting fortunes. Joakim Sundberg’s Swedish team, guided by tactician Ed Baird, won the opening race before finishing 14th in the second, leaving the team seventh overall. Platoon Aviation, meanwhile, began the final event with two sixth-place results and sits sixth on 12 points.
The depth of the field was further illustrated by the debut of John Huhn’s American team Katana. The newcomers recorded two ninth-place finishes to begin their first 52 SUPER SERIES regatta in 11th overall.
With the season championship also on the line, Valencia represents the final opportunity for the leading teams to shape the 2026 standings. Platoon Aviation entered the event as the season leader, with Sled and Alkedo Cetilar among those challenging for the overall podium. After the opening two races, Paprec had moved to within five points of Alkedo Cetilar in the season championship battle.
The 52 SUPER SERIES Valencia Sailing Week continues with the fleet returning to the water for the remaining races of the final event, with ten scoring races scheduled across the week.
