Sled Clinches Rolex TP52 World Championship in Porto Cervo, Extending 52 Super Series Lead

Takashi Okura's Sled has cemented its dominance at the pinnacle of grand prix monohull racing, capturing the 2026 Rolex TP52 World Championship in Porto Cervo, Sardinia. The victory, secured in the notoriously tricky light-air conditions of the Mediterranean, marks the team's second world title and their third consecutive 52 Super Series regatta win.[2][3]

The championship doubled as the second leg of the 2026 52 Super Series, and Sled's triumph has dramatically reshaped the season's standings. With 89 total points across the first two events, Sled has opened up a commanding 15-point lead over Germany's Platoon Aviation (104 points) and Italy's Alkedo Vitamina (114 points).[1][2]

Helmed by Australian Adam Beashel—standing in for owner Takashi Okura—and guided by Italian tactician Francesco "Checco" Bruni and New Zealand strategist Murray Jones, Sled navigated a record-breaking 15-boat fleet. The sheer size of the fleet, representing 11 different nations, left virtually zero margin for error, placing a premium on clean starts and tactical conservatism.[3]

"Consistency was the key," Bruni explained following the victory. "We avoided unnecessary risks, but when we did take risks, they were calculated and played to our strengths. We had good leads at times, but the competition is so tight that no lead ever feels big enough."[2]

The regatta's climax was a tense, single-race showdown on the final day. Hong Kong's Alpha+, owned by Shawn and Tina Kang, had sailed a brilliant week and entered the final day holding a narrow one-point lead over Sled. However, the light 13-to-14-knot easterly breeze proved unforgiving on the waters of the Costa Smeralda.[3][4]

In the decisive ninth race, Sled executed an aggressive start to control their main rivals on the first upwind leg. Alpha+ started on the unfavored side of the course, suffered a critical loss of speed early on the first downwind leg, and plummeted to a 12th-place finish. The brutal result knocked the Hong Kong team entirely off the podium, leaving them in fourth overall.[4]

While Alpha+ faltered, Sweden's Trinity Racing delivered the shock performance of the week. Competing in only their second-ever TP52 regatta, the rookie team—steered by owner Joakim Sundberg with veteran Ed Baird on tactics—surged to victory in the final race.[4]

Trinity's late charge, which included winning the final two races of the regatta, vaulted them into second place overall for the World Championship, just two points behind Sled. The result also propelled the Swedish newcomers into fifth place in the overall 52 Super Series season standings. "None of us can believe this is happening," Sundberg admitted, having also secured the top owner-driver award for the event.[1]

Germany's Platoon Aviation, the defending three-time world champions, rounded out the podium in third place. Owner-driver Harm Müller-Spreer noted that the influx of new talent and the expanded fleet size have elevated the circuit's difficulty. "What you can see in general is that the performances of all the teams has gone up. There are more good teams than ever," Müller-Spreer observed.[2][4]

For Sled, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda has become a fortress. The team has now won the last three 52 Super Series events held in Porto Cervo, dating back to 2019. Their ability to seamlessly transition from the heavy breezes of their 2021 World Championship win in Palma to the flat, light-air chess match of Sardinia underscores their versatility.[2][3]

The 52 Super Series now shifts its focus to the Canary Islands for the second half of the season. The fleet will contest the Marina Rubicón Lanzarote Sailing Week in late July, followed by the Puerto Calero Royal Cup in August, before concluding the season in Valencia in October. With Sled holding a formidable lead, the chasing pack faces a steep climb to close the 15-point gap.[1][2]