From the United States’ first home event to Outteridge and Slingsby’s rivalry, we round up five things to watch out for when racing gets underway in New York this weekend.
Australia under pressure
Three-time champions Australia are in unfamiliar territory, now sitting third on the overall season leaderboard after a disappointing 8th place finish in Halifax. The Aussies have just a six point lead over France in 4th place and will need to deliver a top performance in New York to concrete their top three ranking heading into San Francisco.
Spain, Australia, France and ROCKWOOL DEN set to scrap
It’s tight at the top, with just 8 points separating Spain in 2nd and ROCKWOOL DEN in 5th. After San Francisco’s fleet racing, only the top three teams will move into the winner-takes-all, $2 million Grand Final, which means teams will be putting it all on the line in New York to secure a podium finish.
Slingsby and Outteridge's rivalry resurrected
There was plenty of drama in Halifax, with Nathan Outteridge’s Switzerland dramatically luffing Australia, causing Tom Slingsby’s crew to nosedive into the water. Both Slingsby and Outteridge have history in New York, with Slingsby’s Australia going head to head against Outteridge’s now defunct Japanese team in the Season 1 Final. Outteridge won that battle, but who will come out top of the rivalry this time?
First home event for the United States
Taylor Canfield’s United States will be looking to draw on the home support when racing in New York gets underway, with the event marking the revamped team’s first ever home race. The team had a disappointing performance in Halifax, with three 10th place finishes on day one - can they turn it around on home turf?
A turning point for Emirates GBR?
Halifax marked a turning point for new Emirates GBR driver Giles Scott, with the team bouncing back from a spate of poor performances to pick up their third event win of the season (the team won in both Saint Tropez and Taranto with Ben Ainslie as driver). Will Emirates GBR keep the momentum going in New York or will Halifax prove to be a flash in the pan?
The Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix takes place on June 22/23.
