Tyler Letren; Founder, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief

Dec 11, 2023

Season 4 Event 2 | Location: Dubai.

Day One of the Dubai Grand Prix saw the debut of an all-new US Team. During the break the US team made some changes in leadership and ownership, resulting in the release of Jimmy Spithill.

The release of Spithill was announced days before the Dubai Grand Prix. The Release quoted Spithill as leaving in part due to, a soured relationship. During the Dubai race, Spithill had a lot to say about the USA team but was also quoted as having a lot to say about the Australian team. “The language is different here…”

In light of Tom Slingsby’s paternity leave to welcome his firstborn. Tom tapped, Spithill to step in as a filler on the Australian team. Spithill joined the US Team last season to whip the team into shape. However, fans and sponsors seem to want an American to lead the US team.  A subject touched on in an interview segment which aired during the race.

Russell Coutts, CEO of SailGP; highlighted the league’s cry for a US driver to lead the US team to victory. The new US team driver is Taylor Canfield.

RACE ONE

Started with the French taking the lead around the first mark, with Canada, Australia, and Sui trailing behind.  In leg 3 the French fell off the foils on the left side, allowing the Canadians to slip ahead, with the Kiwis trailing behind for third. Around  leg four the New Zealand team fell from their foil upon overtaking Sweden

Canada held onto first place with France trailing behind. Canada, France, and Denmark lead the 6th leg around. Canada finished first, France trailing second and Australia in third.

RACE TWO

Opening, German, and Canadian teams were issued early start penalties. Australians and New Zealand dominated this race. Germany was given a black flag disqualification, for an early start. Australian crew at the front of the line. From the first race, the US grabbed hold of the third. The Australians held onto the first-place position. Australia battled the Kiwis for first place, placing.

Australians 1st, New Zealand 2nd, Canada 3rd.

USA faced off against now-former team captain Jimmy Spithill, filling in for Tom. Quickly falling from third place to seventh. Australia trading the win, with New Zealand trailing behind for second and France in third

Americans were 8th in Race One.

Overall Race three saw Great Britain take the lead finishing in first place, whole of Switzerland rode in on their back for second place. Results at the end of day one tied in first place with twenty-six points, Australia and New Zealand

RACE THREE

Saw the teams practically flying through the race. The teams took their time to win. Spain snuck ahead, past GBR and Australia. Till they fell off the foils, allowing GBR to return to first place while the Australian locked in on the third-place position.

Ultimately. GBR maintained first place, placing, the Spanish pulled in Second placing. Australians are in third.

DAY 2

The racing began with Germany and Canada receiving early start penalties at the start of the weekend’s fourth race. Unlike the first day of racing Australia appeared much slower than usual. Normally a force to be reckoned with, out of the blue. A rather strange change in pace. It seems Slingsby decided to hold back to rack up some short points. Appearing as hardly a challenger to the other teams.

Emirates GBR would go on to claim the win of the fourth race, after managing to find great gusts, dashing them past the other teams.  Unfortunately, it seems the excitement of the win overwhelmed Emirates GBR, as what could’ve easily become a second win for GBR resulted in an early start penalty at the beginning of race five; The umpire issued a black card disqualification.

Nine teams were left on the water, opening the door for Canada to surpass them in points.

The championship race saw the Australians, the KIWI’s, and Canadians face off on the foils. Canada distanced themselves but managed to snag a gust pushing them to the final buoy. Things heated up around the last buoy as all teams caught up to each another, Kiwis held the right of way, with the Australians beside them and the Canadians squeezing the Australians for the finish line.

New Zealand hung on tight on the inside while Canada pulled off a dirty turn crossing the finish line, landing themselves a penalty, that yanked the win from them and into the hands of the Kiwis.

In a later interview with Jimmy Spithill. He confirmed his retirement from sailing and the launch of an Italian Sail Gp team. (I’ve speculated since last season’s announcement that new teams joining the league.)