Porto Cervo's fickle inshore breeze gave the 15 TP52s assembled for this week's world championship an immediate examination of their composure, and Gladiator answered emphatically. Tony Langley's British programme topped the fleet in both Monday practice heats, putting the rest of the field on notice that the defending champions are every bit as dangerous when the wind turns light and unpredictable.
The performance carries particular weight given the changes currently taking shape within Gladiator's afterguard. Langley missed the season opener in Mallorca in May after a back injury, and his return to the boat has coincided with the arrival of Victor Diaz de Leon, who has made the transition from American Magic Quantum Racing. Knitting together three sailors who each carry genuine responsibility at the back of the boat, Langley, Diaz de Leon, and helm Guillermo Parada, is the immediate challenge as the team searches for a collective rhythm.
Parada steered Gladiator through both practice races with considerable poise, yet he was measured in his assessment of what the day actually proved. "We learned that it's going to be a long week, a tricky week," he said. "The wind inside the bay today was very unstable, so we need to trust what we are doing. But today doesn't mean anything. We had a good day, obviously, but the regatta starts tomorrow, so nothing changed from yesterday to today and nothing should have to change from today to tomorrow."
Langley echoed that restrained tone, describing the week ahead largely in terms of building understanding among the three people now sharing tactical and strategic responsibilities at the back of the boat. "This is the first regatta that we are going to be doing together because in Portals Tony wasn't able to sail," he explained. "Victor is obviously a very talented sailor and we just need to learn how to communicate in the proper way within the three of us to make things happen."
Fifteen TP52s on the start line represents the largest gathering the 52 SUPER SERIES has seen since it launched in 2012, making this a significant moment for the circuit. Racing proper runs from Tuesday through to Saturday, with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda hosting the championship in Porto Cervo for the eighth time since the series began.
