Season 3 was packed with risk taking and tense moments as SailGP’s nine international teams pushed their super fast, foiling F50s to the limits. We round up the most impressive race wins of the season, from France’s neck and neck sprint to the finish with the United States to Canada sealing its first event win on the waters of Lyttelton Harbour.
Canada and New Zealand go head to head in Plymouth
Phil Robertson’s Canada came out firing in the first race of Plymouth, repeating its commanding performances in Bermuda and Chicago. The Canadians picked up a race win by beating Peter Burling’s New Zealand to the finish line by a single boat leg.
France beat the U.S. in a last minute sprint to the finish
France made history in Cadiz with its first ever event win, beating Jimmy Spithill’s United States by a matter of meters in a last minute sprint to the finish. The victory saw Quentin Delapierre mark his first anniversary as France’s driver in style.
Australia swoops ahead of Emirates GBR in Dubai
The most dramatic event finish in Season 3 took place in Dubai when race leader Emirates GBR mistimed a maneuver and fell off the foils as it prepared to turn towards the finish line. Instead, Tom Slingsby’s Australia swept across the line in a last-minute, stunning victory.
Switzerland wins its first race in Singapore
Switzerland finally looked to have cracked the F50 code in Singapore, winning its first ever race on the second day of racing, and backing it up with a second place finish. As the Swiss went head to head with New Zealand, strategist Nathan Outteridge guided driver Sebastien Schneiter through the final moments of the race with expert precision.
France, Australia and the United States drive to the finish in Sydney
Quentin Delapierre’s France put in a commanding performance in Sydney, picking up a clean sweep of three race wins. The French battled against the United States all day, as demonstrated in the final seconds of the first fleet race.
Canada makes history on the waters of Christchurch
Led by Kiwi Phil Robertson, the Canadian team sealed its historic first event win on the waters of Lyttelton Harbour beating rivals New Zealand and Australia to cross the line in front of sell-out crowds. Canada had squeaked into the three-boat Final ahead of Emirates GBR and pulled off the win despite picking up a boundary penalty in the final minutes of the race.
Australia seals the three peat in San Francisco
Despite leading for the majority of the Grand Final, disaster struck Australia on the final leg of the race when the Flying Roo fell off the foils. With New Zealand quickly advancing, the Aussies were in a race against time to get flying again - and managed it in the nick of time. Australia soared across the finish line to secure the ultimate triumph - the SailGP three peat.
