Harm Müller-Spreer’s Platoon Sailing secured the 2026 52 SUPER SERIES championship in Valencia, turning an 11-point lead over Sled at the start of the final event into a 30-point winning margin. While Platoon claimed the season title, Andrea Lacorte’s Alkedo Cetilar won Valencia Sailing Week and finished third overall.
The fifth and final event concluded on the America’s Cup waters off Valencia, Spain. With light winds limiting the final day to one race, Platoon Sailing maintained its advantage across a record fleet of 16 TP52s to complete a season defined by close competition and technical challenges.
The title marked another major achievement for Müller-Spreer, following Platoon’s 2023 championship victory, which was decided on a tie-break.
Platoon Sailing’s championship campaign included second place at Puerto Portals and third at the Rolex TP52 World Championship in Porto Cervo. The team then faced difficulties at Marina Rubicón in Lanzarote, where gennaker failures affected its results.
Platoon responded by winning the Royal Cup in Puerto Calero for the fourth time before finishing third at Valencia Sailing Week to secure the season crown.
Technical development also played a role. Since the current boat was introduced in 2024, further updates, including a new keel for 2026, helped strengthen its performance. Strategist Jordi Calafat and navigator Juan Vila also brought experience from Alinghi’s 32nd America’s Cup-winning campaign.
For Müller-Spreer, the title rewarded the work of the sailing crew and shore team throughout a demanding season. Tactician Vasco Vascotto celebrated his fifth 52 SUPER SERIES championship, with the victory arriving on his 57th birthday.
Takashi Okura’s Sled entered Valencia as Platoon Sailing’s principal championship rival after winning the season’s opening two regattas, including the Rolex TP52 World Championship in Porto Cervo. A gear failure during the second Lanzarote event disrupted its campaign, and an eighth-place finish in Valencia saw Sled settle for second overall with 246 points, 30 behind Platoon Sailing. Despite the difficult finale, project manager Don Cowie could reflect on a successful season that included the world championship and podium finishes at three of the five events.
Andrea Lacorte’s Alkedo Cetilar, meanwhile, closed the season with a breakthrough victory. Competing in only its second year on the circuit, the team achieved its pre-season goals of winning a regatta and reaching the championship podium. A second-place finish in the final race secured the Valencia Sailing Week title with 36 points, ahead of No Way Back on 43 and Platoon Sailing on 45. Alkedo Cetilar also finished third in the overall 2026 championship with 253 points, marking a significant step forward ahead of the 2027 season.
Platoon Sailing finished the 2026 season first on 216 points, followed by Sled on 246 and Alkedo Cetilar on 253. No Way Back placed fourth overall with 277 points.
Across five events, the championship once again highlighted the importance of technical development, tactical decisions and consistency in the competitive TP52 fleet.
For Platoon Sailing, Valencia delivered the reward for a season of progress. Sled finished runner-up after a strong campaign, while Alkedo Cetilar closed the year with its first Valencia Sailing Week title and a place among the season’s top three teams.
