Quantum Racing powered by American Magic wins the 2024 52 Super Series title in Valencia
by 52 Super Series 28 Sep 11:07 PDT
23-28 September 2024
The 2024 52 SUPER SERIES championship came down to the final moments once more. Spanning 41 races at five regattas from April to September, including two in Newport, RI, USA, the title has been claimed by Doug DeVos’s Quantum Racing powered by American Magic, competing with a record fleet of 13 boats from nine nations.
The US team, representing the New York YC, secured enough points in the last race of the Valencia 52 SUPER SERIES Royal Cup to surpass the 2023 champions, Harm Müller-Spreer’s Platoon Aviation, finishing second and securing the title on the prestigious grand prix monohull circuit.
While Quantum Racing has previously won the circuit title five times, this marks the initial significant achievement for the initiative DeVos set in motion two years ago, aimed at creating a pathway for young American sailors to receive guidance from a seasoned campaign that includes several past America’s Cup winners.
The youthful crew led by Victor Diaz de Leon faced numerous challenges during their two years together, including personnel changes at each regatta last season and the addition of three new members in 2024. Despite not clinching a regatta victory over these two years—coming close on several occasions—they performed well when it mattered today in a light breeze, finishing fifth, three places behind Platoon Aviation, which was enough to secure the overall title.
Although the German-flagged Platoon Aviation team staged an impressive comeback in the latter half of the season after initially struggling with their new build at the first regatta in Palma in late April and incurring point losses from hitting an object in the early stages of the XS 52 SUPER SERIES Newport Rhode Island Trophy in June, they finished as solid runners-up and retained the Royal Cup by winning the final event of the season.
With young Harry Melges IV engaged with Youth America’s Cup duties with American Magic this week, Morgan Larson stepped in to helm Quantum Racing powered by American Magic, proving to be a steady and experienced presence that made a crucial difference at this pivotal regatta.
Cloud 9
Skipper Diaz de Leon expressed, “We are on cloud 9. I felt nostalgic coming in. This team and this beautiful boat are incredible. We are tremendously proud. Personally, this is a dream come true. All these sailors in this fleet, and my teammates, have been my heroes for so long. Achieving victory with my Quantum Racing powered by American Magic teammates is a dream realized.”
Long-time Quantum coach James Lyne noted, “As usual, the 52 SUPER SERIES concluded with the nerve-wracking final leg of the last race with only a one-point difference. This time, we accomplished what we needed, finishing well in the last race when it counted. The team is thrilled—it’s been a great year for us. Securing one of sailing’s top accolades, the 52 SUPER SERIES, means a lot to the young sailors on board, and I am confident they will achieve great things in the future.”
Platoon Aviation’s tactician Vasco Vascotto remarked, “We lost so many points during the season, which make a significant difference now. Of course, I recall hitting that object in Newport that cost us around 10 points. However, the season is long, and every team can identify losses at various points. We are happy; we won this event and the Royal Cup. Unfortunately, we missed Provezza in the race mix today, but we should take pride in our accomplishments. Recovering around 30 points in the last couple of regattas is promising for our future.”
Gladiator Third
Britain’s Tony Langley and his Gladiator team entered this Valencia finale with an 18-point lead over their American competitors, yet the unpredictable offshore winds proved challenging for a team that has excelled this season, having won the Rolex TP52 World Championship in Newport in July, clinching the Puerto Portals 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week last month, and finishing second by just two points at that first Newport RI regatta in June. Gladiator finished third overall, five points behind Quantum Racing.
Guille Parada, helm of Gladiator, reflected, “I think we did not have a good week. Our sailing fell short of our capabilities at critical times and locations, indicating weaknesses under certain conditions. I’m a bit disappointed but we need to step back and acknowledge our achievements. We were second at the first Newport event, won the Rolex TP52 World Championship, and triumphed in Puerto Portals, marking overall progress from last year. We leave with invaluable lessons that will help us return stronger in 2025.”
In the Royal Cup, Platoon Aviation triumphed over Provezza, which unfortunately faced a collision at the start line leading to their retirement. The regatta leaders received average points, finishing second, just ahead of Hasso and Tina Plattner’s Phoenix, which won both the first race of the event and the final race today.
Valencia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Final Standings:
1. PLATOON AVIATION (GER), Harm Müller-Spreer, 8+1+2+4+7+4+2 = 28pts
2. PROVEZZA (TUR), Ergin Imre, 4+2+1+1+10+7+6 = 31pts
3. PHOENIX (RSA), Hasso & Tina Plattner, 1+11+5+7+6+6+1 = 37pts
4. CRIOULA (BRA), Eduardo & Renato Plass, 6+8+10+2+2+1+10 = 39pts
5. PAPREC (FRA), Jean-Luc Pethuguenin, 9+3+7+3+13+5+5+6 = 46pts
6. QUANTUM RACING POWERED BY AMERICAN MAGIC (USA), Doug DeVos, 11+6+9+5+9+2+5 = 47pts
7. INTERLODGE (USA), Austin & Gwen Fragomen, 7+9+3+8+8+8+4 = 47pts
8. TEASING MACHINE (FRA), Eric De Turckheim, 3+13+4+12+3+3+11 = 49pts
9. ALEGRE (GBR), Andy Soriano, 2+5+13+10+4+11+9 = 54pts
10. SLED (USA), Takashi Okura, 13+7+8+13+1+12+3 = 57pts
11. VAYU (THA), Whitcraft FAMILY, 5+12+11+6+5+13+7 = 59pts
12. GLADIATOR (GBR), Tony Langley, 12+4+6+9+12+9+8 = 60pts
13. ALPHA+ (HKG), Shawn & Tina Kang, 10+10+12+11+11+10+14(+4) = 82pts
2024 52 Super Series Final Standings:
1. QUANTUM RACING POWERED BY AMERICAN MAGIC (USA), Doug DeVos, 27+36+52+45+47 = 207pts
2. PLATOON AVIATION (GER), Harm Müller-Spreer, 45+47+48+40+28 = 208pts
3. GLADIATOR (GBR), Tony Langley, 37+35+40+40+60 = 212pts
4. SLED (USA), Takashi Okura, 33+42+46+67+57 = 245pts
5. ALEGRE (GBR), Andy Soriano, 37+44+51+66+54 = 252pts
6. INTERLODGE (USA), Austin & Gwen Fragomen, 32+49+73+65+47 = 266pts
7. PAPREC (FRA), Jean-Luc Pethuguenin, 49+51+62+63+46 = 271pts
8. PHOENIX (RSA), Hasso & Tina Plattner, 77+46+65+58+37 = 283pts
9. VAYU (THA), Whitcraft FAMILY, 51+33+65+80+59 = 288pts
10. ALPHA+ (HKG), Shawn & Tina Kang, 51+58+50+69+82 = 310pts
11. PROVEZZA (TUR), Ergin Imre, 25+88+110+71+33 = 327pts
12. CRIOULA (BRA), Eduardo & Renato Plass, 77+88+110+70+39 = 384pts
13. TEASING MACHINE (FRA), Eric De Turckheim, 77+88+110+89+49 = 413pts
