52 Super Series PortoCervo Range Rover Sailing Week Day 4: Vayu wins the only race of the day
by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda 26 Sep 2025 11:46 PDT
21-27 September 2025
Vayu and Provezza - 52 Super Series 2025 Porto Cervo by Range Rover - Day 4 © Nico Martinez / 52 Super Series
The fourth day of the 52 Super Series - Porto Cervo - Range Rover Sailing Week started punctually at 12 noon (CEST) when the Race Committee started the first and only race in a 10 knots Mistral.
The course was set in the Bisce strait, in the waters off Baia Sardinia, with the windward mark off the island of Caprera.
After one general recall, Platoon Aviation had the early lead on the first upwind closely followed by Provezza and Vayu, the Thai team owned by the Whitcraft family. With double Olympic silver medallist Nick Rogers calling tactics on Vayu, they rounded the windward mark a close second behind Provezza. It was on the second upwind when Vayu earned the lead, crossing further to the left, to lead round the final upwind mark to secure their first race win of the season. Provezza took second place and Platoon Aviation third. Fourth place went to the circuit leader, American Magic Quantum Racing.
The Race Committee then tried everything to get the second race of the day under way but, as forecast, the wind dropped away as well as becoming too unstable. After repositioning the course twice, the Race Committee sent the fleet back to port at 15:25 CEST.
Takashi Okura's Sled remains at the top of the event standings, followed by Phoenix and Alegre. On the eve of the final day of racing, American Magic Quantum Racing holds a 21 point advantage over Sled. Paprec is third.
On the Piazza Azzurra which was packed with all the crews, Greg Gendell, AM Quantum Racing's bowman, was presented with a new perpetual challenge trophy in memory of Matteo Auguadro, who tragically died in a mountain accident on Sunday 12 January 2025. Having been the bowman on the Azzurra team which competed in the 2008-2009 Louis Vuitton Trophy circuit in America's Cup Class boats Matteo Auguadro had close links with the YCCS.
He is fondly remembered on the bow of some of the most competitive maxi yachts as well as the TP52 Alegre and many other classes including RC44s to ClubSwan 50s. A passionate sportsman, he used to cycle for miles every morning before racing. Matteo's daughters, Allegra and Carlotta, and his wife, Rachele Vitello, were present on the Piazza Azzurra, and Rachele presented the award with moving words: "Matteo was very happy here, the YCCS had the idea to create this perpetual trophy in Matteo's memory and I am happy that this award is being presented here: thank you. It is even more wonderful that it coincides with the 52 Super Series, the class in which he raced for twenty years. There could not be a better occasion. It is a special trophy because it was created and voted for by all the bowmen on the circuit: it is not decided by a jury. It is simply friends who, year after year, decide who it should be awarded to".
Proud recipient Greg Gendell added: "The fact that this new award bears Matteo's name and is being presented in his honour makes it particularly meaningful. Matteo was an exceptional sailor and person and this is a wonderful way to remember and celebrate him. I am proud to have my name associated with his. What makes this award even more special is that it was voted for by my fellow bowmen. We share a kind of brotherhood at the bow and I am proud to be part of it. To be recognised by my peers is a real honour. Thank you".
Tomorrow, September 27, the last day of racing, the first warning signal is scheduled for 12 noon CEST with light and unstable winds forecast.
The Porto Cervo event is supported by Range Rover, an institutional partner of the YCCS, reaffirming the brand's strong ties with the nautical world.
Rolex is Official Timekeeper of the 52 Super Series and an institutional partner of the YCCS.
More information and full results at www.52superseries.com