From Canada’s historic victory in Christchurch to SailGP Technologies’ repair of New Zealand’s lightning-struck F50 in record time, we round up the our most read stories from March.
Canada makes history in Christchurch with first event win, beating home favorites New Zealand in neck-and-neck showdown
First up is our race report of Canada’s historic first event win in Christchurch. The Canadians squeezed into the Final by one point to go head to head against the Kiwis and Aussies. Despite a few small errors, it was the Canadians who crossed the finish line first to claim their first ever event win.
The Russell Report: The battle for Season 3's Grand Final, cancelation of practice racing and 'incredible' Tech Team examined
Next up is SailGP CEO Russell Coutts’ preview of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, in which he dissected the Tech Team’s ‘incredible job’ to get the full F50 fleet back sailing in Christchurch and gave his thoughts on the four boats battling it out to reach the Season 3 Grand Final.
Dolphin delays, pre-race technical problems and going in 'cold': Peter Burling debriefs day one of Christchurch
In third is New Zealand driver Peter Burling’s debrief of the first day of racing in Christchurch, which saw the home Kiwi team finish at the top of the leaderboard. Burling dissected all the racing action and how the cancelation of practice racing meant the crews were going into the event ‘cold’.
Canada's Phil Robertson: "Winning in Christchurch is a big morale boost after emotional experience of Sydney"
In fourth is Canada driver Phil Robertson’s post-race reaction to winning the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix. Reflecting on the event, Robertson said the win would provide ‘a big morale boost’ the team.
"It felt like the umpires were pretty soft on them" - Burling on Canada's boundary penalty
Next up is New Zealand driver Peter Burling’s reaction to Canada winning the Final in Christchurch, in which he described the umpires’ enforcement of a boundary penalty on Canada as ‘soft’. However, he conceded that Robertson’s crew ‘sailed a great race’ to cross the finish line ahead of the Kiwis.
SailGP Technologies: Inside the challenge to repair New Zealand's lightning-struck F50 in record time
In sixth is the story of SailGP Technologies’ repair of New Zealand’s F50, which was struck by lightning in the final stages of the Singapore Sail Grand Prix. The Technologies team in Warkworth, New Zealand worked against the clock to repair the Kiwi F50 in time for the team’s first ever home event.
SailGP welcomed to Whakaraupō, Lyttelton Harbor in traditional pōwhiri
The traditional pōwhiri welcoming SailGP to race in Whakaraupō, Lyttelton Harbor caught the attention of SailGP fans in March. The ceremony welcomed the league’s foreign teams and international staff with speeches and waiata (hymns) in front of the marae (meeting house).
Close crosses and tense boat on boat situations: Dissecting all the penalty action from Sydney
Next up was chief umpire Craig Mitchell’s penalty rundown of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney. The event saw plenty of close crosses and tense boat on boat situations as crews battled against gusty conditions of up to 50 km/h.
"There was just nowhere to hide - you couldn't cover up mistakes": Lisa Darmanin dissects Sydney's racing action
SailGP presenter Lisa Darmanin debriefed all the racing action in Sydney, from France's flawless performance to Diego Botin's baptism of fire as Spain's new driver. Darmanin described Sydney as the ‘most exciting racing’ in SailGP so far, with plenty of overtakes, crosses and close mark roundings.
Watch: New Zealand SailGP Team's journey through Season 3 documented in dramatic new episode of Racing on the Edge
Finally, New Zealand’s dynamic journey in SailGP was examined in the latest episode of Racing on the Edge, Anatomy of Speed, which picked up plenty of traction with fans. New Zealand’s pursuit of excellence and journey to the top of the Season 3 Leaderboard is put under the spotlight - as well as the fierce rivalry between the Kiwis and two-time SailGP champions Australia.
