In the third event of the circuit, US SailGP Team surprisingly wins, three years after the last success. Good performance by the blue boat, out of the final by just one point
Sydney, the third round of the circuit, is one of the most loved stops by sailors and organizers of SailGP. Audience for special occasions (thousands of spectators and sold-out stands two weeks before); the beauty of Sydney Harbour, near Shark Island, with the Sydney Opera House as a backdrop; the windy weather conditions were just right (even if they disappointed expectations a little). It was an important stage in the little great history of the circuit reserved for the very fast F50 catamarans for the surprise triumph of the US SailGP Team which had not won a stage since Cadiz in 2023, when it had different ownership. For helmsman Taylor Canfield, a ‘magician’ of match-racing on monotypes before moving on to multihulls, this is the first ever victory on the circuit. The crew is 100% American, made up of young talents and renowned professionals such as strategist Andrew Campbell, with three America’s Cups in his career. By the way, that SailGp is competing in the 2027 regatta in Naples was confirmed by the acquisition of the Danish team Rockwool Racing by the co-founder of American Magic, Doug DeVos, who seemed about to participate in the much more prestigious challenge. De Vos, a passionate sailor and owner of the Orlando Magic in the NBA, shelled out around sixty million dollars to enter the circuit. A positive sign for SailGP, worrying for the America’s Cup.
red bull italy
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If the US success gives hope for even closer competition in the next stages, Red Bull Italy’s fourth place is even more newsworthy, given the few highs and many lows of the Italian team. Instead, in the Gulf of Sydney, the blue boat performed well, closing the first day in fifth position with 23 points after a series of solid results (4-4-3-11). In the first two races the team led by New Zealander Phil Robertson achieved a fourth and an eighth place, remaining in full contention for a place in the three-way final. After an excellent start, the Italian crew placed themselves in second place, behind the Danes of Rockwool Racing, finding themselves playing for entry into the final against the American team. But a shift in wind, unusual on the race course set up around Shark Island, played against Red Bull Italy, which was cut off from the final act. However, helmsman Robertson was satisfied: “We finished the event in fourth position, so definitely a good weekend for us. We leave Sydney with a bit of a bitter taste in our mouths, having lost the final by one point, but we have a lot to reflect on and improve. We know our place in the fleet and it’s still not where we would like to be, so let’s not get too big and look forward.”
the ranking
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The Spanish team of Los Gallos, skipper Diego Botin, the Americans who won the decisive test and the always regular British team of Emirates GBR, led by Dylan Fletcher, reached the final. Furthermore, second place in Sydney – taking advantage of the fifth achieved by direct rival Bonds Flying Roots – allowed Emirates GBR to take the lead of the circuit with 28 points against the 25 of the Australian team led by Tom Slingsby while US SailGP Team is now in third. Red Bull moved up to seventh place with 17 points. The penultimate place of Black Foils is striking as it was unable to return to the water after the serious accident in the previous stage with DS Team France, also in the pits. In about forty days there will be the fourth stage of Sail GP, in Rio de Janeiro from 11 to 12 April and we will see the two boats racing again with the New Zealand ace Peter Burling, skipper of Black Foils hired by Luna Rossa, more eager than ever to be a protagonist again.
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