main expense the total cost over three full seasons will not reduce substantially, possibly by 10 per cent of the total budget? Still a good deal of money but this has to be weighed against the joy of designing, building and optimising your own boat, for some a decisive factor to join the TP52 class and the 52 Super Series. But, after nearly 25 years of fine-tuning design and construction,
the law of diminishing returns becomes increasingly dominant in this case and whoever then takes the class decisions must be on the ball to avoid this influencing interest in the class and its racing in a negative way. A change of the class rule creating a different challenge for
designers, builders and sailors is then an obvious answer. But it could also be attractive to consolidate 25 years of striving for per- fection into a one-design boat, and this way create another 10 years’ lease of life. Also one-design does not live for ever but, whether propelled by introducing a new one-design or by a substantial rule change creating new inspiration for owners and designers, by 2035 the class will have had ample time to conjure up some new goals! If I dare to consider the main attraction of the TP52 rule, I probably
go for the number 52, so the length of the hull. In a close second place the apparent simplicity of the TP52, a very clean boat; tied up next to a TP52, for instance, an Imoca 60 seems (somewhat unnecessarily?) extremely complex… All other dimensions and choices might be changed but tradi-
tionally owners and sailors seem most attracted by boats in the 30, 40 and 50ft range, with as good intermediate numbers 25 and 36ft. My memory might not be perfect but there have been a number of successful boats around 45ft and 56ft but their attraction and popularity never lasted all that long.
Right now the TP52 owners and crews focus on 2023 and its
five events scheduled to start in the first week of May 2023 in Saint Tropez. A frivolous start location maybe, but with its diehard fans as well as those still to be convinced. But is that not the same for most locations we race at? In the end the quality of the racing will weigh in as the big one
when it comes to thumbs up or down. But the eye wants to be pleased too and surely Saint Tropez has that quality. With the boats berthed stern to in the old port and an ice cream, drink, snack or meal just a few steps away, there could be worse places to start the next decade of the 52 Super Series. From Saint Tropez it is Scarlino, Mahon, the Rolex TP52 Worlds in Barcelona at the end of August and last but not least Puerto Portals in Majorca. For the following year the TP52 class members have supported
a move to run some of the 2024 Super Series on the US east coast, not Florida this time but Newport RI, most likely from June onwards to blend in with the traditional NYYC summer regattas. All to be detailed yet but looking forward to once again seeing our fleet – and series – travel to the USA and surely to see the many friends and supporters we have on the US east coast. Got to hang onto my job somehow to be part of it! (Those racing a TP52 in Europe or on the US east coast requiring info on our planning for 2023 and 2024 just contact me:
robsweiland@gmail.com). But first for the teams there comes the planning of boat and crew
optimisation, and having some practice time, and for the 52 Super Series and class the detailing of the 2023 events. And, of course, the family, friends and winter activities that make the upcoming months so special! Merry Christmas and a happy 2023!! Rob Weiland, TP52 Class Manager
q SEAHORSE 35
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