Team SUMMER STORM 52 will make their debut in the GL52 Fleet this season. Owner, Andrew Berdon is a lifelong sailor from Mamaroneck, New York with an extensive offshore and coastal racing resume that dates back to 1980. He selected the GL52 class for his new program because, he said: “it represents the pinnacle of ORC coastal and ocean racing where owner-driving is still feasible.”

A new project, SUMMER STORM 52 uses the platform of the 2015 JV 52 Platoon (later Outsider) building on the team and organization developed while campaigning two prior Summer Storms over the past 7 years. This boat has spent the last 6 years in Germany racing as Outsider and is expected to arrive in the States on April 1.

Berdon has been involved in competitive racing programs in the Level 40 Class, IOR One Ton, Maxis, and several offshore one designs. Since 2016, Andrew campaigned a Marten 49 and a J111, both named Summer Storm. Notable results include a class win in the 2019 Les Voiles de St. Barths, multiple class wins in the Around Block Island and Vineyard races, and podium results in the 2019 and 2020 RORC 600. 

The team enjoys a mix of offshore, coastal and “around the buoys” racing. Key team members from prior Summer Storm campaigns including Alec Snyder, Stu Bannatyne, Mal Parker, Brad Terpstra, Josh “Hawk Ears” Reisberg, and Matthew Berdon will be joined by new team mates Richard Clarke, Chris Lewis, Lucien Moore and others. Highlights of their 2024 schedule include the Newport to Bermuda Race, New York YC Race Week and ORC Worlds. Subject to boat readiness, they would also like to be on the race course for the NYYC Annual Regatta.