Platoon Aviation arrives top of the table after winning the Royal Cup in Puerto Calero, 11 points clear of Sled. Harm Müller-Spreer's 2023 champions are sailing at their best level for a couple of years, but Sled – world champions and winners of the first two regattas – lost most of that deficit to a gear failure in Lanzarote. In project manager Don Cowie's words, Sled intend to “go out swinging”.
The fight for the rest of the podium is just as tight. Alkedo Cetilar holds third by 11 points from Paprec, with Swedish newcomer Trinity Racing a single point further back in its first season. Add Valencia's habit of serving up anything from light airs to shifty offshore breeze, and this one could go all the way to the final race.
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