From Spain and Canada’s feud to New Zealand’s racing return, we round up our most read stories from October.
Watch: 5 racing moments you might have missed from Cádiz
First up is our round up of five incredible racing moments from our latest event in Cádiz, including Switzerland’s Black Flag, Canada’s revenge on Spain and the United States’ stunning victory.
Watch: Spain and Canada Cádiz clash labelled ‘payback for Saint-Tropez’
In second was the incident between Spain and Canada in Cádiz, which was labeled ‘payback for Saint-Tropez’ by SailGP’s commentators. The incident saw Canada, with right of way, squeeze Spain up against a race mark and landed Diego Botin’s team with a 4-point penalty.
United States stuns packed crowds with surprise win over Australia and ROCKWOOL DEN in Cádiz
In third was our blow-by-blow account of the Cádiz three-boat Final, which saw ROCKWOOL DEN, Australia and the United States go head to head for glory. Despite picking up a penalty in the pre-start, Jimmy Spithill’s team stayed focused and stole the lead from the Danish.
New Zealand marks triumphant return with two wins in practice racing
After missing out on Taranto due to wing damage sustained in Saint-Tropez, the Kiwis returned to the water in Cádiz in style, winning two practice races ahead of official racing. Despite an impressive performance, the Kiwis just missed out on a place in the three-boat Final to the United States, which went on to take the event victory.
Australia top of leaderboard after first day of aggressive racing in Cádiz
Next was our first day report of all the Cádiz racing action, which saw Tom Slingsby’s Australia rise to the top of the leaderboard after three fleet races. The Aussies proceeded into the three-boat Final but ultimately it was Jimmy Spithill’s crew which took the victory.
Ainslie debriefs Taranto: “It didn’t feel like a lucky win”
Emirates GBR driver Ben Ainslie’s first person perspective on the team’s Taranto victory came next, with Ainslie debriefing all the racing action from the weekend. A triumphant fleet racing performance saw the team move into the Final and take the ultimate victory on points after it was abandoned due to light winds.
The Russell Report: Coutts on Cádiz, Spain’s ‘dramatic’ improvement and Canada’s ‘horror start’ to Season 4
SailGP CEO Russell Coutts’ dissection of the F50 fleet captured the attention of fans in October, with Coutts analyzing teams’ performances so far this season. Included in his analysis was Canada’s ‘horror start’ to Season 4, New Zealand’s return to racing and the ‘dramatic improvement’ of Diego Botin’s Spain.
New Zealand all clear for Spain Sail Grand Prix
Next was the news that New Zealand was clear to compete in the Spain Sail Grand Prix after completing a successful first day of training in Cádiz. The news came after the team suffered a dramatic wing failure at the end of the first day of racing in Saint-Tropez.
Manon Audinet returns, Taylor Canfield steps into flight control: Cádiz crew lists revealed
Ahead of racing in Cádiz, teams published their complete crew and substitution lists, with notable changes. The event saw Taylor Canfield step into the role of flight control after the injury of Hans Henken in Taranto while France strategist Manon Audinet returned to her squad following maternity leave.
Slingsby reflects on Cádiz: “I’m sick of losing Finals”
Finally, Australia driver Tom Slingsby’s candid revelation that he’s ‘sick of losing Finals’ was popular with fans. Slingsby’s squad, so used to dominating SailGP, has so far appeared in all 5 Season 4 Finals, but failed to win a single one.
