Season 4 was full of drama, both on and off the water. There was Tom Slingsby throwing down the gauntlet to the next generation, the sale of the United States SailGP Team, departure of former drivers Ben Ainslie and Jimmy Spithill, and squabbles between new U.S. driver Taylor Canfield and Canada driver Phil Robertson. As we look back on the action, we round up the best quotes from Season 4.
“It’s really hard to know how Phil feels about the Spanish team. We’ve had some situations lately and I don’t know if he’s taking it personally or not.”
Diego Botin on Spain and Canada’s early season drama.
“I can tell you now, you don’t just change one of your key sailors in the middle of the season unless you have a really good reason. In my opinion, something big must have happened between Quentin and Francois.”
Russell Coutts speculates on what was behind France’s mid-season crew swap in Los Angeles.
“We decided we were just going to sail past a few of the Kiwi fans that had been cheering us on. We were just touching the boat into the water to stop and heard an almighty bang. To go through an incident like that and have everyone safe is something that we’re incredibly thankful for. ”
Peter Burling reflects on the wing collapse on board the New Zealand F50 in Saint-Tropez.
“Jimmy [Spithill] is not a guy prone to overreaction so if he’s calling for a medic boat you know something serious has happened. And of course you fear the worst because we’ve experienced the very worst.”
Ben Ainslie reacts to the injury of former U.S. flight controller Hans Henken in Taranto.
“To be frankly honest, I think some of the younger generation haven’t stepped up to the plate as much as they could have and they’ve got to prove it. (…) The new young generation - most of them haven’t won an event.”
Tom Slingsby challenges the league’s younger drivers ahead of racing in Abu Dhabi.
“At some point you’ve just got to realize that you can’t do everything, and I’m also coming to an age where it’s time to let the younger generation come through and have their opportunity.”
Ben Ainslie on stepping away from driving the British F50.
“I can’t wait for the day when one of our top female sailors drives a boat to victory in SailGP. Imagine the impact and inspiration that will have on all the young female sailors out there.
Russell Coutts speculates on the future of women in SailGP.
“The first time I raced against Taylor was in 2009 and at that moment he was an arrogant little college kid and the only thing that’s changed since is that he’s no longer in college.”
Phil Robertson on USA driver Taylor Canfield.
"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 the finals and try to do it a bit differently.”
Nicolai Sehested on the Danish team’s losing Finals strategy.
“The Australia SailGP Team has turned into a dad and mum club - little rugrats running around everywhere.”
Jason Waterhouse on Tom Slingsby missing Dubai for the birth of his son.
“We collectively believe we just acquired the New York Yankees of sail boat racing globally.”
U.S. SailGP Team CEO Mike Buckley on buying the team.
“I’d love to go out and absolutely smoke those guys.”
Jimmy Spithill, who subbed in for Australia driver Tom Slingsby in Dubai, on wanting to beat the U.S. team.
“Shit happens. I have no words. It’s an unbelievable error. For the moment, it hurts quite a lot. Sometimes you prefer to stay home and today this was typically the case.”
France driver Quentin Delapierre on crashing out of the race for the Grand Final in San Francisco.
“The game is certainly going to change. Speed-wise the averages will go up, which means sailors will need to make decisions faster with closing speeds dramatically increasing.”
Phil Robertson reacts to breaking the 100 kmh speed barrier while testing the new T-Foils in San Francisco.
“Hopefully an opportunity presents itself again - I’d love to do that - but for Season 5 that doesn’t look like an option so rather than sitting in a coaching booth or trying to find another drive, I took it in my own hands to go and do my own sailing.”
Nathan Outteridge on leaving the league after Season 4.
