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HomeSailGPAuckland Racing2025 SailGP Day 1 recap: Thrilling battles and shifting momentum in Auckland

2025 SailGP Day 1 recap: Thrilling battles and shifting momentum in Auckland

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The 2025 SailGP Auckland event kicked off with an action-packed Day 1 that saw a mix of dramatic shifts, stellar performances, and a few setbacks as teams navigated the tight, challenging waters of Waitematā Harbour. With four fleet races completed, the leaderboard has already taken shape, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the opening round of racing.

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Fleet Race 1: Great Britain takes the lead

In the opening race, Emirates GBR seized control early and never looked back, crossing the finish line first with a time of 9:00.354. Despite fierce competition from Spain and Italy, who battled for second, Great Britain’s consistency and speed under pressure proved decisive. Spain’s hopes of challenging for victory were dashed after accruing multiple penalties for boundary violations, a costly mistake that ultimately relegated them to second place. Italy, despite two protests that were dismissed, showed their resilience and secured third.

The home team, New Zealand, faced a tough start. By the second mark, they were already trailing by more than a minute, and though they showed moments of promise, they could not recover, finishing a disappointing fourth, more than two minutes behind the leader. The pressure was on as the local team struggled to capitalize on the advantage of home waters.

Fleet Race 2: Australia rises to the top

The second race saw Australia surge to the front, taking advantage of a dramatic mistake by the USA. The Americans, who had started strongly, suffered a catastrophic nosedive after a foiling mishap, dropping from first to last in a matter of seconds. This opened the door for Australia, who would go on to secure victory with a solid performance, crossing the line with a narrow 8-second lead over GBR.

While Australia delivered a near-flawless race, the story for New Zealand remained one of struggle. Once again, they failed to break into the top ranks, finishing a disappointing eighth. Despite flashes of speed, their performance remained inconsistent, leaving fans and pundits alike wondering when the Kiwis would find their rhythm.

Fleet Race 3: Switzerland shocks the fleet

Switzerland shocked the fleet in the third race, turning heads with a dominant performance that saw them take the win by a comfortable margin of nearly 20 seconds. Australia, despite showing flashes of aggression, couldn’t quite match the Swiss pace and settled for second. Canada, showing impressive resilience, secured third, while New Zealand’s continued troubles left them languishing in sixth.

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New Zealand’s penalty for failing to give boundary room to Great Britain early in the race compounded their struggles. Though they showed some improvement towards the end, the gap to the top remained significant, raising questions about their ability to compete with the fleet’s best.

Fleet Race 4: Black Foil’s statement win

The fourth and final race of the day saw New Zealand finally deliver on the promise they’ve shown in previous seasons. From the start, the home team dominated, seizing the lead early and never relinquishing it. Leo Takahashi and the crew executed flawless manoeuvres, demonstrating both speed and tactical brilliance. They crossed the finish line in commanding fashion, securing the win with a 17-second lead over second-placed Australia.

Australia, despite their best efforts, could not match the Kiwis’ pace. They had a few tense moments throughout the race, but their consistency kept them in the hunt, eventually finishing second. Switzerland, who had been so strong in Race 3, held onto third, completing the podium.

For New Zealand, this victory was monumental. After a shaky start to the event, they had finally delivered a performance worthy of their home crowd, giving fans hope that they could challenge for the championship. But the question remains: can they carry this momentum into the next day of racing?

Day 1 Leaderboard: Tight racing with Australia in control

At the end of Day 1, Australia holds a narrow lead with 34 points, thanks to a solid 5-1-2-2 performance. They are followed closely by Emirates GBR (28 points) and Spain (26 points), with New Zealand (25 points) not far behind in fourth. The leaderboard shows just how competitive this event is, with only a handful of points separating the top teams.

However, it is clear that Australia is the team to beat. Despite the tough conditions on the tight course, they maintained their composure and delivered when it mattered most. Their ability to stay competitive across all four races, without major mistakes, puts them in a strong position to win the Auckland championship.

Standout performers

  • Australia: Tom Slingsby and his crew showed why they are the reigning champions. Their performance in Race 2 was particularly impressive, where they capitalized on the USA’s misfortune. While they made no major mistakes, the Aussies will need to refine their tactics further to keep the pressure on their rivals, especially with Switzerland and New Zealand closing in.
  • New Zealand: The home team’s performance in Race 4 was a statement win. After struggling in the first three races, they finally found their rhythm. Leo Takahashi showed maturity beyond his years, and the crew executed their plan perfectly. Whether they can replicate this form will be crucial for their hopes of climbing up the leaderboard.
  • Switzerland: A consistent standout throughout the day, Switzerland’s victory in Race 3 was well deserved. They have shown they are a team capable of challenging the best, and they will be dangerous as the event progresses.
  • USA: After a solid start, the USA’s dramatic fall in Race 2 highlighted the challenges of adapting to the new T-foil configuration. While they have the potential to recover, they will need to sort out their consistency if they are to contend for the top spots.
  • Mubadala Brazil The fastest speed of Day 1 was Mubadala Brazil team at 87.69km/h. Go Martene!

Can anyone challenge Australia for the Auckland Championship?

Looking ahead, Australia remains the clear frontrunner for the Auckland title. But New Zealand, with their strong finish in Race 4, could well be poised for a comeback. If they can replicate this form and eliminate the mistakes that plagued them in the early races, they could challenge for the championship.

Switzerland also remains a dark horse, and with their consistency and strong pacing, they could very well make a late push for the top spot. Spain and Great Britain, though capable of podium finishes, need to improve their consistency to remain in the hunt.

As we head into Day 2, the pressure will be on all teams to deliver flawless performances. With the overall season standings on the line, and the next event in Sydney just around the corner, every point counts. All eyes will be on the final day of racing to see if anyone can knock Australia off their perch or if the Aussies will continue their dominance.

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Kirsten Thomas
Kirsten Thomas
Kirsten enjoys sailing and is a passionate writer based in coastal New Zealand. Combining her two passions, she crafts vivid narratives and insightful articles about sailing adventures, sharing her experiences and knowledge with fellow enthusiasts.

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