The race began with a fast start, but it wasn’t long before the Canadian and German teams found themselves trailing, confirming their exit from the tournament. Australia (AU), however, came out strong, being the first team through the gate. Yet, this would soon change.
Spain, just 10 metres behind Australia, quickly capitalised on the shifting winds, positioning themselves as front-runners halfway through the first leg. While Sweden, comfortable in their bracket standing, seemed to hold back, it was clear that Spain had everything to race for.
The first major shift came when Canada briefly took the lead, spurred by a favourable wind change. Despite this, Spain remained unfazed, and by Gate 1 at 4:02, they were back in command, leading the race into Leg 2.
As the teams entered the second leg, Spain extended their lead over the pack. Halfway through, they were a full 100 metres ahead of their closest challenger, Sweden, who had managed to overtake a struggling Germany and Australia. Sweden soon picked up speed, narrowing Spain’s advantage to just 50 metres by Gate 2.
Entering Leg 3, Spain held firm as Sweden continued their pursuit. However, with a significant 200-metre lead approaching the final gate, Spain appeared unbeatable. The team, having maintained consistent boat speeds of 32 knots, crossed the final gate at 11:12, firmly in control of the race.
Despite Sweden’s late efforts to close the gap, they could not challenge Spain’s dominance. Spain crossed the finish line at 14:28, securing first place, followed by Sweden in second. Canada, having briefly led, finished third, with the Dutch in fourth, Germany fifth, and Australia in a surprising last place.
While Australia’s poor showing in the final race may raise some eyebrows, their spot in the finals was already guaranteed. Sweden, too, could afford a more relaxed approach, having already secured their place at the top of the group standings.
For Spain, this victory was crucial, giving them a well-earned spot in the finals, set to take place tomorrow. Despite a rocky tournament, Spain’s resilience shone through when it mattered most, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup.
