From Canada crashing into the finish mark to France’s stunning race starts, we round up five moments you might have missed from Season 4’s Grand Final in San Francisco.
Switzerland almost capsize
It was another tough event for Switzerland, which finished the season at the bottom of the leaderboard. The team got off to a tricky start when they came close to capsizing during the first race of practice day. Luckily, driver Nathan Outteridge was able to prevent the F50 capsizing in the nick of time.
France nails the starts on day one
Under pressure to perform to leapfrog Spain into the Grand Final, France put it all on the line when racing got underway and executed blistering starts. The team picked up the highest average starting speed of 63.7km/h and finished the first day with impressive 1-3-3 results.
Canada hit the finish mark
A dramatic incident unfolded on the finish line of the second fleet race when Canada and ROCKWOOL DEN both approached the finish line. Coming up behind France and New Zealand, Canada pushed the Danish wide and then, in a last ditch effort to cross the finish line first, Canada driver Phil Robertson turned the F50 directly into the finish mark. Damage sustained to the Canadian F50 earned the team a four point deduction to its event score and two point deduction to its season score.
New Zealand almost capsizes
It was almost disaster for Peter Burling’s New Zealand, which came close to capsizing in the third fleet race. The crew managed to rectify the error, which could have caused damage to their F50 or even threatened their ability to race in the Grand Final.
Crash ends France’s Grand Final hopes
One of the most dramatic events of the weekend saw France, which was gunning to take Spain’s place in the Grand Final, crash into the side of ROCKWOOL DEN at the last turning mark of the fourth fleet race. The collision damaged one of the rudders and earned the team a devastating 12 point deduction from its event score and loss of 8 season points, making it impossible for them to proceed into the $2 million Grand Final.