The race began with high intensity, as all teams were in peak form at the starting line. Australia shot out of the gate first, but their initial lead quickly unravelled after a series of penalties. The Dutch team found themselves struggling early on, facing multiple penalties and falling off their foils, leaving them trailing far behind.
As the teams approached Gate 1, it became a three-way battle for the lead between Australia, Sweden, and Canada. Australia edged through the gate first, followed closely by Sweden and Canada, with only a second separating the two. Meanwhile, Spain and Germany were hot on their heels, but the Dutch were left in the wake, nearly 500 metres behind.
The turning point came as Australia, in a promising position, dropped off their foils, allowing Sweden to surge ahead and claim the lead. By Gate 2, the Swedes had solidified their position, crossing at 6:15, a full 24 seconds ahead of Spain, who had climbed to second place. Australia’s misfortune continued as they struggled to regain momentum, slipping down the rankings.
The Swedes appeared unstoppable in Leg 3, reaching speeds of 25 knots as they extended their lead. At one point, they were a staggering 400 metres ahead of their closest competitor, Spain. But the race took a thrilling turn when Sweden briefly lost control and fell off their foils. This gave Spain an opportunity to close the gap, bringing the two boats within just 200 metres of each other.
In the final leg, Sweden regained their form and flew through the final gate at 10:57, with Spain trailing 22 seconds behind. As the teams pushed their boats to the limit, clocking speeds of 35 knots, Sweden pulled off a decisive win with a commanding 500-metre lead. They finished the race at 13:54, securing their second consecutive victory in Group B.
Spain crossed the finish line 35 seconds later, taking second place, while Australia staged a remarkable recovery to claim third. Germany, who had steadily moved up the ranks, finished fourth, while the Dutch team rallied to secure fifth place. Canada, despite a strong start, faltered towards the end and finished in sixth.
This victory solidifies Sweden’s dominance in Group B, giving them a significant advantage as they head towards the semi-finals. With two wins under their belt, they have emerged as the team to beat in this highly competitive series.
As the Youth America’s Cup heats up, all eyes will be on Sweden to see if they can maintain their winning streak and clinch the ultimate prize. For now, they remain at the top of the leaderboard, flying high like the eagles their boats emulate on the water.
