2026 Rolex TP52 Worlds Porto Cervo Day 3: New leaders at the top
by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda 18 Jun 19:20 BST
15-20 June 2026
Alpha+ (bow number 46) and Sled (bow number 05), leaders in the provisional overall standings at the Rolex TP52 World Championship © Nico Martinez / 52 Super Series
The third day of racing at the Rolex TP52 World Championship brought two further windward-leeward races off the coast of Porto Cervo in a thermal breeze of 8 to 10 knots from the east, shifting slightly towards the south-east.
The overall championship standings remain extremely tight, with the top five competitors separated by just three points and a new pair in the lead, proving how closely matched this fleet is at the top. After six races, with four still to sail, Alpha+ and Sled share the lead on equal points, followed by Platoon Aviation (2-6 scoreline today) in third. Paprec (4-9) slips to fourth place, level on points with No Way Back in fifth (8-3).
Today's first race, the fifth in the series, got under way at 1.30 p.m. CEST as the breeze filled in. The Brazilian entry Crioula, with Olympic sailor Samuel Albrecht on tactics, took control immediately, thanks to a strong pin-end start on the favoured left-hand side. After reaching the first mark in front, Crioula extended steadily throughout the race, crossing the finish line ahead of Platoon Aviation, with Vasco Vascotto calling tactics, and Alpha+, helmed by Nick Egnot-Johnson with Adrian Stead on tactics.
In the day's second race, the sixth of the series, Sled rounded the first mark in front, with Alpha+ in close pursuit just a boat length behind, after an upwind leg that saw the lead change hands several times. Over the remaining three legs, tacticians Checco Bruni (Sled) and Adrian Stead (Alpha+) skilfully chased the wind shifts in the hunt for victory, which ultimately went to Alpha+. Third place went to No Way Back, with tactician Terry Hutchinson.
Two more windward-leeward races are scheduled for tomorrow, starting at 1 p.m. CEST, with thermal breezes similar to today's forecast. The Rolex TP52 World Championship concludes on Saturday 20 June.