Former U.S. driver Jimmy Spithill has reflected on his SailGP journey after officially announcing his retirement from active racing from the sport, describing it as ‘one hell of a ride’.
Spithill stepped in for permanent Aussie driver Tom Slingsby in Dubai and secured a second place finish for his home team in a neck and neck fight to the finish with New Zealand.
Despite admitting he ‘would have liked to have gone out on top’, Spithill said ‘it’s time’ to step back from competing as an athlete.
“I’m finished now as a SailGP athlete - that’s my last event - so it’s fitting in my mind because competing with Australia means I’ve come full circle,” he said.
“I love the fight, I love the competition, I love waking up and feeling nervous on race morning and being uncomfortable and getting out there under pressure - I love that stuff but at the same time, it’s time.”
Instead, Spithill will be spearheading the launch of the Italy SailGP Team. "I’ll be heavily involved clearly with the Italian team but it’s time to see a new generation and a new young gun come through.”
As Spithill bids goodbye to active racing in SailGP, we round up his best bits.
