New Zealand has triumphed in Dubai’s practice racing, taking the top spot after three fleet races on the iconic Mina Rashid.
The Kiwis were consistently at the top of the fleet, picking up an excellent 2-2-1 race record to finish with a total of 28 points.
Ben Ainslie’s Emirates GBR was close behind, recalling the faultless performances of Saint-Tropez and Taranto with a 3-1-2 race record - finishing the day just 1 point away from New Zealand in second.
Quentin Delapierre’s France meanwhile, which finished in second at last season’s visit to Dubai, had a much improved performance - finishing in third overall after three races with 22 points.
Elsewhere, it was a promising start from new U.S. driver Taylor Canfield. The Americans picked up a 4-8-8 race record to finish 7th overall.
But it was a tricky first day racing with Australia for Jimmy Spithill, with Tom Slingsby’s substitute driver ending the day in 8th overall - behind the U.S.
It comes after Spithill admitted he’d ‘love to absolutely smoke’ the U.S. team when racing gets underway in earnest on Saturday, December 9.
Official racing kicks off tomorrow from 2pm-3.30pm GST, with the first three fleet races taking place on Saturday before the remaining two fleet races and three-boat, winner-takes-all, Final on Sunday.
