CONTACTS:
GL52 Fleet Manager
Linda Lindquist
GL52FleetManager@gmail.com
+1 (312)-560-1168
GL52 Press Contact
Caroline Rochford
Rochfoca@gmail.com
+1 (585)-831-2247
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PENSACOLA ROLLS OUT BLUE CARPET FOR GL52 FLEET
2025 GL52 SOUTHERN SERIES PREVIEW
Pensacola, FL (February 25, 2025) Earlier this month City of Pensacola representatives, community organizations and a plethora of local journalists were invited to visit with the GL52 fleet at Palafox Marina. They met with team members on the docks and watched practice racing on the water. The access and experience provided insight into how the GL52s coming to town for the first time will help to establish Pensacola as a destination for both world-class and aspiring sailors alike.
The GL52 Southern Series consists of two regattas—the Pensacola Cup (March 20–23) and the Southern Showdown (April 10–13). GL52 Fleet Manager Linda Lindquist said, “The American Magic team identified Pensacola as an outstanding venue for high-performance sailing and has played a key role in bringing more top-tier racing to the area.” American Magic has established a long-term presence in Pensacola through a lease agreement with the City to develop a high-performance sailing center and boat-building facility at the Port of Pensacola. While the facility serves as the team’s headquarters for design, training, and innovation, it also strengthens Pensacola’s position as a premier destination for competitive sailing. The GL52 Southern Series will be among the first world-class racing events staged in the city since American Magic announced its expanded presence.
LOCAL EXCITEMENT & SUPPORT
Local interest and support are building as the City of Pensacola prepares to host the GL52 fleet in both 2025 and 2026. Jason Wheeler, Pensacola City Public Information Officer said: “It is a win-win situation, viewing the racing will be free to the public and it offers Pensacola a chance to shine and maximize our assets near downtown.”
There is also cause for excitement among the six registered competitors of the 14 boat GL52 fleet. In addition to top-notch onshore facilities and easily accessible amenities, the sailing area itself promises to be an excellent setting for the Series.
BLUE CARPET RACE COURSE
Pensacola Bay rolls out beyond the breakwater like a smooth blue carpet more than 13 miles long and 2.5 miles wide. At 20’+ deep throughout, with few obstacles and a reliable afternoon breeze that ranges between 12-20 knots, it offers superb racing conditions for the high-performance GL52s. Such an ideal race course will tighten the racing in the already highly-competitive fleet. Easily viewed from ashore, the sailing area is also spectator friendly, increasing accessibility to a broader audience.
GL52 teams FOX, KATANA, SUMMER STORM, VESPER, WINDQUEST and WIZARD will be on the starting line for both of the Southern Series events. These teams bring a mix of amateur and professional talent that is unmatched and helps drive the mission of the GL52 fleet: to promote and develop American Sailing talent.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS / EXTENDING ACCESS
The GL52 fleet recently partnered with the Satori Foundation in Pensacola to promote initiatives geared toward youth sailing in underserved communities. Foundation representative, Sandy Dimick wrote: “The PYC Satori Foundation looks forward to experiencing GL52 events where we will have a front-row view of top-level sail boat racing.”
Based on the local enthusiasm and effort already shown, Pensacola is poised to earn its reputation as a world-class performance sailing venue as they welcome the GL52 Fleet with open arms. GL52 Fleet Manager and America’s Cup sailor, Linda Lindquist added: “This is a field of dreams out here.”
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Located in Florida’s panhandle, Pensacola is surrounded by 50-plus miles of coastline which includes the emerald-green Gulf of Mexico waters and crystal-clear bay areas. This makes Pensacola the perfect combination of a relaxed beach town and bustling metropolitan center. The temperate, climate and a friendly community that is driven toward success present an unparalleled quality of life. https://www.cityofpensacola.com
The purpose of The PYC Satori Foundation is to inspire interest in and encourage and promote the sport of sailing and yachting and a broad range of maritime activities. The foundation is established to develop educational and training programs for the sports of sailing and yachting, for seamanship and for marine education. https://www.satorifoundation.com
In 2019, five (5) owners came together to initiate TP52 racing in the Great Lakes which has evolved into our fourteen (14) boat GL52 fleet. We remain grateful for the vision and commitment of these early pioneers– Doug Devos, WINDQUEST; Chris Duhon, MOCKINGBIRD; Austin Fragomen, INTERLODGE; Robert Hughes, HEARTBREAKER and Phil O’Niel, NATALIE J. The GL52 North American fleet is member of the TP52 Class Association which incorporates TP52 Class Global, the 52 Super Series and TP52 Australia.
The GL52 Southern Series, is intended to encourage like-minded TP52 type boat owners, with a healthy mix of amateur and pro sailor crews, to compete in similarly configured boats under the ORC on a Time-on-Time basis in a group of buoy races that form a Winter series.
Looking Ahead: 2025 great lakes series
This summer the fleet will consolidate back on the Great Lakes where we will have a dozen (12) or more GL52s racing in the Great Lakes Series at the following perennial favorite events:
- June 13-15: BIG RED REGATTA
- June 27: QUEEN’S CUP
- July 12: BAYVIEW-MACKINAC
- July 19: RACE TO MACKINAC
- July 25-27: UGOTTA REGATTA
- August 14-16: LITTLE TRAVERSE CUP
- October 3-5: MACATAWA CHALLENGE
Additional event registration links and racing documents including the Great Lakes Series, Notices of Race and Results (when available) will be found here.
For more information, contact Linda Lindquist, GL52 Fleet Manager at +1 (312)-560-1168
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CONTACTS:
GL52 Fleet Manager
Linda Lindquist
GL52FleetManager@gmail.com
+1 (312)-560-1168
GL52 Press Contact
Caroline Rochford
Rochfoca@gmail.com
+1 (585)-831-2247
TAGS:
#GL52Fleet, #GL52Racing, #2025GL52SouthernSeries, #CityofPensacola, #AmericanMagic, #PYCSatoriFoundation. #2025GL52PensacolaCup, #2025GL52SouthernShowdown
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