TP 52
The Transpac 52 (TP52) is a class of yacht used for competitive 52 Super Series yacht racing, and the Audi MedCup previously, besides the world championship of the class. The class is recognised by the International Sailing Federation which entitles the class to hold an Official World Championships.
![]() Class symbol | |
![]() TP52 Container at the Audi MedCup races in Cascais, 2011 | |
Hull | |
---|---|
LOA | 15.85 m (52 ft 0 in) |
History
The TP52 Class has grown from a non registered club of like minded yachtsmen inspired by Tom Pollack to a fully member controlled, registered and ISAF recognised Class with a proper set of Bylaws, an Annual Meeting, an Executive Committee made up out of the Members and a Class President who also has to be a Member.
The original intention was to provide a yacht capable for both inshore and offshore sailing specifically the Transpacific Yacht Race however with the decline in IMS racing, the class became popular in Europe. A professional inshore tour was established for Europe called the MedCup. Recent (2015) rule changes[1] help keep the class at the forefront of competitive racing.
The Box Rule
TP52 boats are built and sailed to a set of rules which established the original design as a 'box' rule - where the boat must fit within a notional box of specified dimensions. The current rules[2] specify a single masted, fixed keel mono-hull with a single rudder and maximum hull length of 15.85 metres (52 ft), beam width of 4.43 metres (14.5 ft), keel draft of 3.5 metres (11 ft) and spinnaker hoist height of 22.4 metres (73 ft), along with a minimum total weight of 6,975 kilograms (15,377 lb) and maximum keel bulb weight of 3,800 kilograms (8,400 lb).
Events
World Championship[3]
Event | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
---|---|---|---|
2008 Yaiza | USA Quantum Racing![]() |
![]() Vasco Vascotto |
![]() Jochen Schümann (GER) |
2009 Palma | ![]() Alberto Roemmers |
USA Quantum Racing![]() |
![]() Torbjörn Törnqvist |
2010 Valencia | USA Quantum Racing![]() |
![]() Alberto Roemmers |
![]() Yevgeny Neugodnikov |
2011 Porto Cervo | ![]() Ed Baird |
![]() Markus Wieser |
![]() Tony Langley |
2013 Miami | Rán Racing![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
2014 Porto Cervo | ![]() |
![]() |
Rán Racing![]() |
2015 P. Portals | ![]() Pablo Roemmers/Alberto Roemmers |
Platoon![]() |
![]() Ergin Imre |
2016 Mahón | ![]() Doug DeVos |
Azzurra![]() ![]() |
![]() Ergin Imre |
2017 Scarlino | Platoon![]() |
Quantum Racing![]() |
Azzurra![]() ![]() |
2018 Cascais | Quantum Racing![]() |
Azzurra![]() ![]() |
Alegre![]() |
2019 P. Portals | Platoon![]() |
Azzurra![]() |
Bronenosec![]() |
Global Championship
The unofficial World Championship was held before it got international status and were the keystone of the formation of the class.
Event | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
---|---|---|---|
2006 Miami | ![]() Eamon Conneely |
![]() Philippe Kahn |
![]() Kark Kwok |
2007 Porto Cervo | ![]() Torbjorn Tornqvist |
![]() Eamon Conneely |
![]() Peter de Ridder |
European Series
The competition changed the nature of the class with it becoming a pinnacle inshore/coastal event for grand prix monohulled yacht racing. The series started off as the MedCup from 2005 to 2011 before evolving in the 52 Super Series.
Offshore Pinnacle Events
Boats or optimized direct derivatives racing under the major international handicap systems have won the overall trophy in most of the pinnacle offshore events wins including the following:
Race | Category | Boat Name | Skipper | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2003 Transpac Race | 1st Overall | |||
2004 Bermuda Race | 1st Overall | Rosebud | Roger Sturgeon | [4] |
2004 Chicago to Mackinac | 1st Overall | Esmeralda | Mr. Makoto Uematsu Ken Read |
[5] |
2019 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race | 1st Overall | Ichi Ban | ![]() |
[6] |
Inshore Pinnacle Events
Race | Category | Boat Name | Skipper | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Round the Island Race | 1st Overall | GBR 11152 - Gladiator | Bernard Langley | [7] |
References
- Transpac 52 website, rules overview
- 2017 TP52 Rule
- https://www.transpac52.org/home/about/world-champions.html
- http://bermudarace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/results_berth_to_bermuda_extract.pdf
- http://www.farrdesign.com/news/2004%20Chicago-Mac%20Press%20Release.pdf
- https://rolexsydneyhobart.com/news/2019/day-5/ichi-ban-wins-rolex-sydney-hobart-for-a-second-time/
- https://afloat.ie/sail/team-racing/item/32885-tp52-gladiator-is-round-the-island-race-winner/