SEASON 5
Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix
Tyler Letren; Founder, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief
Nov 26th 2024
Welcome to SailGP RED BULL Italy & Brazil
Welcome to the Action!
Season Five kicks off at Mina Rashid with the first races of the season. Despite being plagued by low wind speeds, the event showcased resilience and innovation. SailGP engineers are testing a low-power propeller system, an investment that could revolutionize the sport. Combined with ongoing T-foil testing, the future F50 models promise even more excitement on the waves.
Season Five Transfers:
Emirates GBR: Giles Scott replaces Phil Robertson as driver.
Canada: Giles Scott transitions to lead the Canadian team.
Switzerland: Sebastien Schneiter returns as driver for Season 5.
Brazil: Andy Maloney from New Zealand joins as flight controller.
Switzerland: Stewart Dodson takes on a key role.
Red Bull Italy: Ruggero Tita assumes driving duties with Australian Kyle Langford joining the squad.
Emirates GBR: Dylan Fletcher strengthens the team.
Spain: Lego Lopez Mar is recruited to bolster the Spanish crew.
France will sat out of the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix as they await the completion of their 12th boat.
DAY ONE
Race One: With a sluggish start due to the light breeze, the first race saw teams inching toward the starting line. Team USA seized an early lead and held tight to first place, with Australia trailing closely in second and New Zealand securing third. The first race of the season saw SailGP Freshmen, Italy and Brazil struggle, spending much of the race at the back of the fleet, while sophmore Germany, found their way to the middle of the placing eighth in the first race of the season. Denmark incurred a boundary penalty near the start of the first and seemed to struggle between the first and second mark but ultimate managed to improve throughout the event.
Result: USA; AUS; NZL
Race Two: The Germans capitalized on the low breeze, skillfully finding the best wind and leading from the front. Their tactical mastery secured them a victory, with Canada and New Zealand rounding out the top three.
Result: GER; CAN; NZL
Race 3: Australia made an electrifying entry at Mark 1, catching a gust that propelled them into the lead. They created significant separation from the pack and clinched victory. Great Britain and Canada followed in second and third places, respectively.
Result: AUS; GBR; CAN
DAY TWO
Race 4: The competition intensified as New Zealand, Spain, and Great Britain dominated the course. The addition of a 10th team introduced a new dynamic, with the last-place finisher earning no points.
Result: NZL; ESP; GBR
Race 5: Denmark took an early lead across the start line, with Brazil trailing behind. Despite Brazil’s best efforts, a penalty dashed their hopes of climbing higher. Denmark held on to finish first, with the USA and GBR securing second and third places, respectively.
Result: DEN; USA; GBR
Grand Prix
New Zealand crossed the finish line first, securing a commanding victory. The United States and Great Britain followed, with a dramatic twist near the final marker. Team USA’s ambitious attempt to overtake GBR resulted in a penalty, which promoted GBR to second place and pushed USA back to third.
For Team USA, this performance marks a promising start after a challenging Season 4. Their resilience and determination in this race suggest a renewed focus and strategy—qualities that could turn the tides in their favor this season.
Final Standings for the Race:
New Zealand
Great Britain
United States
Current Standings After Dubai
The leaderboard now reflects a strong start for New Zealand, led by Peter Burling, while GBR and the USA round out the top three. Here's how the teams rank heading into the next event: