As the United States SailGP Team gears up for its next challenge, Driver Taylor Canfield says disruption is the name of the game for the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Whakaraupō, Lyttelton Harbour.
“We are playing catch up against all the other more experienced teams,” said Canfield, a seven-time world champion in his first season as driver for the U.S. SailGP Team. “We’re competing against the best and we have to go out there and push. In our first three events together as a new team, we’ve already seen some great progression.”
Canfield and the team are under no illusions that this weekend’s racing in the windy conditions will be easy, but the team is ready for the opportunity and views it as another stepping stone to gaining experience in the highly technical F50s. To date, the majority of training and racing the new American team has done together has been in light air conditions.
“There’s obviously a lot going on racing the F50; it’s really fast paced and when we get out early to train we feel comfortable,” said Canfield. “But, it’s a new game when you add nine boats into the equation. We’re here to disrupt and to fight for every inch.”
The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix roster
This weekend’s roster includes: Taylor Canfield, driver; Victor Diaz de Leon, wing trimmer; Leo Takahashi, flight control; Anna Weis, strategist/grinder; Mike Buckley, strategist; and Peter Kinney, Mac Agnese, and Ben Bardwell as grinders.
How to watch this weekend
U.S. fans can check out the action live on SailGP’s YouTube channel at 10 p.m. EDT Friday and Saturday (and it’s available immediately following replay). Fans can also enjoy the racing on CBS Sports when it airs Race Day 1 on March 24 at 1 p.m. EDT, followed by Race Day 2 at 2:30 p.m. EDT.
