New Zealand clinched its 5th event victory in New York, beating Canada and Emirates GBR to the title. But there was plenty of off-water action too. From Russell Coutts on Season 5 teams, to Phil Robertson’s challenge to the USA, we round up some of the best quotes from the event.
“I’m not sure it came from nowhere, but it was certainly nice to get out in front of this fleet for the first time… I suppose I did face a bit of criticism, but not too much after Canada. It’s part of this league - everyone likes gossip, but for me it’s just about winning boat races.”
Giles Scott on Emirates GBR’s Halifax win
“I think if you’ve been in as many Finals as we have without winning one, you’re definitely doing something wrong, so we will change how we’re approaching Finals and try and do it a bit differently.”
ROCKWOOL DEN driver Nicolai Sehested on the team’s Final record
“The U.S. team has been struggling a lot and as an investor in that team I would be asking some serious questions of the person who is making personnel decisions on board. Look it’s a tough league, it’s competitive, but at some point you’ve got to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.”
Canada driver Phil Robertson on team rivalry with the United States
“It’s been a fun journey with the Swiss team - it will be my last drive with the team [in San Francisco], and potentially my last drive in SailGP. So I’m going to go to San Fran and enjoy it as much as I can.”
Interim Switzerland driver Nathan Outteridge looks ahead to San Francisco
“We’re not going to the Grand Final just to be there, we want to go there and win it. Putting on the performance that we did is something we’re really proud of as a team and carrying on that momentum to San Francisco is something we’re really excited about.”
New Zealand driver Peter Burling on winning New York
“The league has notified France, Canada and Spain that the league will likely not continue to fund them in Season 5, meaning that if they don’t receive funding then at least one of them won’t be starting next season.”
SailGP CEO Russell Coutts on Season 5 line up
*“I am a sailing enthusiastic of course, I’m a former Olympic sailor, I did three Olympic Games (…) but I had been away for 20 years to pursue a career in spots and entertainment (…) and what brought me back to sailing was SailGP. It’s the right product for us and the right time. It’s really amazing to be part of that so I want to thank you for the opportunity to have as in the league.” *
Ex-Brazilian Olympic sailor Alan Adler on launching the Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team
