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
KATANA, WINDQUEST & WIZARD RACE FOR THE KRAKEN!
CLUB SWAN 28 FLEET TO JOIN GL52s At PENSACOLA CUP
Pensacola, FL (March 11, 2026) The GL52 Pensacola Cup, the first of two regattas that comprise the GL52 Southern Series 2026 is on the horizon. From March 19-22, three top GL52 teams will elevate this competition to mythic proportion as they vie to capture the KRAKEN—a bespoke trophy created by Pensacola glass artist Joe Hobbs.
The GL52 fleet is thrilled to return to their newly-adopted US winter home in Pensacola based at Palafox Marina adjacent to Jaco’s Restaurant and the American Magic High Performance Training facility. With their enthusiastic support, the City of Pensacola has been invaluable in aiding in the development of the GL52 Southern Series program. “Pensacola is truly becoming a destination in world-class sailing and marine innovation,” Mayor D.C. Reeves said. “To have the GL52 Southern Series, the ClubSwan 28 Fleet and American Magic all collaborating right here in our city, showcasing cutting-edge engineering, manufacturing, world-class boatbuilding and design, is tremendous for Pensacola’s growth and innovation.”
In partnership with the Satori Foundation, the GL52 fleet will continue to promote initiatives focused on 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.”
GL52 Fleet Manager, Linda Lindquist said: “Based on our experience in 2025, Pensacola is already establishing itself as a world-class performance sailing venue. In addition to top-notch onshore facilities and easily accessible amenities, Pensacola Bay has proven to be an excellent setting for GL52 racing. Our fleet aspires to bring value to the City through community outreach and in support of American Magic’s initiative to establish Pensacola as a destination for world-class and aspiring sailors alike. We look forward to continuing our constructive collaboration with the City of Pensacola for years to come.”
Beyond the breakwater, Pensacola Bay is 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. These ideal conditions tighten the racing further in this highly-competitive fleet. Easily viewed from ashore, the sailing area is also spectator friendly, increasing accessibility to a broader audience.
The ClubSwan 28 Fleet, an American Magic and Nautor Swan collaboration, will also join the GL52 fleet for the Pensacola Cup. The ClubSwan 28, designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian, combines conceptual simplicity with technical precision: carbon mast, no backstay, a powerful yet manageable sail plan, and a lifting keel. Equalized equipment and strict class rules ensure racing is decided by skill. This fleet is making its formal United States debut in Pensacola Bay during the regatta. Together, the GL52 and ClubSwan 28 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.
QUEST for The KRAKEN
John Huhn’s KATANA team was by far the most improved over the past year. They faced a steep learning curve at the 2025 Southern Series (SS) but by the end of the season they had won 3 of 7 events in the Great Lakes Series (GLS) to claim the 2025 Championship. KATANA’s after-guard is comprised of owner John Huhn on the helm with tactician, Morgan Larson and navigator, Nicoló Sanfelici.
Doug DeVos’s WINDQUEST team placed third overall in the 2025 Southern Series and claimed the coveted Queens Cup in the GL52 Great Lakes Series 2025. Owners Doug and Dalton DeVos will be on the helm with Nicolai Sehested as tactician and Sara Stone as navigator.
Peter Askew’s WIZARD team placed second at the 2025 Southern Series and ascended to podium positions at numerous Great Lakes Series events last summer. This team’s afterguard includes tactician, Andy Horton; strategist, Kyle Navin; navigator, Nacho Postigo; and owner Peter Askew on the helm.
The second event in the two-regatta GL52 Southern Series 2026 will be the Southern Showdown from April 9-12, when those who have survived the KRAKEN will reconvene on the waters of Pensacola Bay.
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Located in Florida’s panhandle, the City of 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 a broad range of maritime activities. The foundation develops training programs in sailing, seamanship and marine education.
American Magic is building the premier high-performance sailing platform in the United States. Established in 2017 to challenge for the America’s Cup, the team has expanded to integrate Olympic pathways, SailGP, and develop further Women’s and Youth programs. Based at the newly opened High Performance Center in Pensacola, Florida, American Magic combines elite athletic preparation with advanced design, engineering, and manufacturing technologies. The team is dedicated to winning at the highest level while creating a sustainable future for American sailing.
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 series.
The KRAKEN is a legendary sea-monster of epic proportion and reputation. Superstitious sailors believe that this fearsome creature hunts sailing vessels, wraps them in its tentacles and pulls them down to Davy Jones’ Locker at the bottom of the sea. The KRAKEN features in sea-faring adventure films ranging from Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to Pirates of the Caribbean. The giant squid became a pop-culture meme when Liam Neeson, portraying Zeus in Clash of the Titans commanded, “RELEASE THE KRAKEN!” The 2026 GL52 Pensacola Cup winner will be awarded a bespoke KRAKEN trophy created by Pensacola Glass artist Joe Hobbs.
The GL52 North American Series 2026 is comprised of the Pensacola Cup, Southern Showdown, Big Red Regatta, Ugotta Regatta, Little Traverse Cup and the Macatawa Challenge.
Looking Ahead: GL52 GREAT LAKES SERIES 2026
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 5-7: BIG RED REGATTA
- June 26: QUEEN’S CUP
- July 11: RACE TO MACKINAC
- July 18: BAYVIEW-MACKINAC
- July 25-27: UGOTTA REGATTA
- August 7-9: LITTLE TRAVERSE CUP
- September 11-13: 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, #GL52SouthernSeries2026, #CityofPensacola, #AmericanMagic, #PYCSatoriFoundation. #GL52PensacolaCup2026, #GL52SouthernShowdown2026, #ClubSwan28
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