Early dominance from Emirates GBR

With three fleet races scheduled before the event final, every point counted as the teams lined up for Race 1. The United States was notably absent, having withdrawn from the day’s racing after suffering major damage in Saturday’s capsize.

Australia had the best start, launching off the line ahead of the pack. However, it was Emirates GBR that rounded Mark 1 in the lead, closely followed by Red Bull Racing and Canada. New Zealand found themselves in the middle of the leading group but had work to do to challenge for the top spots.

strategic choices and mid-race drama

At Gate 2, Emirates GBR remained in control, followed by Canada, Italy, France, Denmark, and New Zealand. The Kiwis, along with Australia, opted for the right side of the course, while the rest of the fleet took the left.

Drama struck when Brazil’s boat suffered a major sail issue, with their genoa flapping uncontrollably. Unable to continue, they stopped on the course and required technical support, effectively ending their race.

As the fleet progressed through the upwind leg, GBR executed a clean tactical strategy, keeping maneuvers to a minimum. New Zealand, recognizing the advantage of staying in GBR’s wake, mirrored their moves and steadily gained ground.

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kiwis surge into second

By Gate 5, Emirates GBR still led, rounding the mark at 7:19. New Zealand, now in second place, followed just seven seconds later, showing improved coordination and boat speed. Australia, fighting their way back from a slow start, held third place, while Canada remained in contention.

The final leg saw Emirates GBR extend their lead slightly, executing a near-flawless final push to take the win in 8 minutes and 22 seconds. New Zealand crossed the line three seconds later, securing a valuable second-place finish. Australia followed 22 seconds after the winners, rounding out the top three.

final results and implications

The final standings for Race 1 were:

1. Emirates GBR – 8:22
2. New Zealand – +3s
3. Australia – +22s
4. Canada
5. Spain
6. France
7. Denmark
8. Germany
9. Switzerland
10. Italy
11. Brazil (Did Not Finish)

For New Zealand, the result was a much-needed confidence boost. Though they are unlikely to reach the final in Sydney, their ability to challenge GBR in this race shows they are refining their approach. Emirates GBR and Australia, meanwhile, solidified their positions as top contenders for the event title.

looking ahead

With two more fleet races before the event final, New Zealand’s focus remains on gaining points and fine-tuning their performance. Their season has been plagued by inconsistency, but a strong finish in Sydney could provide momentum heading into the next SailGP event in Los Angeles.

The battle for event supremacy remains intense, with GBR, Australia, and Canada all in contention. With unpredictable conditions and tight racing on Sydney Harbour, the next two races promise to deliver plenty of excitement.