A tense start in Sydney
With the final pool race determining which three teams would qualify for the event final, tensions were high on Sydney Harbour. The New Zealand crew, led by Peter Burling, had already made their mark earlier in the day with a second-place finish in the first race of the day and a commanding win in the day’s second race (overall Race 5 and Race 6, respectively). Going into the last fleet race, they were in a strong position overall but needed another solid result to stay in contention.
The start was chaotic, with tight jostling among the fleet as teams fought for clean air and position. France looked sharp off the line, while Australia and Switzerland also got away well. New Zealand found themselves mid-fleet, battling for space in a congested start zone.
Mid-race battles and strategy
As the race unfolded, the Kiwis maintained their composure, holding their position around fifth place for most of the contest. Meanwhile, the real drama was playing out between Canada and Denmark, with both teams locked in a must-win battle to secure a place in the final.
Australia a.k.a., “The Flying Roos”, showing their trademark precision, took control of the race midway through, executing slick manoeuvres to gain the lead. Switzerland and Germany also performed strongly, putting pressure on the frontrunners. The New Zealand boat stayed disciplined, opting for conservative tactical calls rather than risky moves that could cost them valuable points.
A decisive finish
As the teams powered towards the finish line, Australia held their lead, crossing first in 9 minutes and 28 seconds, followed by Switzerland 10 seconds later and Germany another seven seconds behind. Canada, knowing they needed to beat Denmark to secure a place in the final, managed to edge ahead by four seconds. New Zealand followed close behind, finishing 31 seconds after the race winner.
The result meant that the top three teams progressing to the event final were Australia, Emirates GBR, and Canada. New Zealand’s consistency saw them finish with a respectable points tally, though just shy of securing a spot in the decider.
Looking ahead
While the final may have been out of reach this time, the Kiwis will take plenty of positives from their campaign in Sydney. A race win and a second-place finish earlier in the day demonstrated their ability to challenge at the front, and their steady performance in the final fleet race reaffirmed their tactical discipline.
With more events to come in the SailGP season, New Zealand remains well-positioned to continue their push for top honours. As always, the team will be reviewing their performance, looking for marginal gains, and refining their strategy as they prepare for the next leg of the global sailing series.
