It’s a wrap

KPMG Sail Grand Prix Australia | Sydney delivered an incredible show of tactics, skill and strength, and despite hectic conditions post-racing, Day 1 was a total crowd-pleaser.

20 February 2023

Blustery conditions on Sydney Harbour created optimal conditions for the foiling F50 cats, but at the end of racing on Day 1, Saturday 18 February, 100-km/h gusts resulted in significant damage to the wing sail of Canada SailGP Team and the marquees at the SailGP technical site.

This forced SailGP organisers to cancel the second day of racing on Sydney Harbour to allow a full assessment of damage to take place. Thankfully, no-one was seriously injured during the incident.

Prior to the weather event, as it was termed, Sydney turned on its spectacular best with blue skies, cool breezes to quench the sun’s heat, a harbour dotted with pleasure craft taking their positions around the race track, and the islands and foreshores crammed with spectators eager to witness the on-water action.

The 50-km/h wind conditions proved challenging for the fleet. The dramatic first day was plagued by technical issues, near capsizes, messy manoeuvres and even an Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team crew member falling overboard during the first fleet race.

The fleet sail past Genesis Island during a practice race ahead of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Friday 17 February 2023. (Photo: David Gray for SailGP.)

Canada SailGP Team helmed by Phil Robertson sails past a spectator boat on Race Day 1 of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Saturday 18 February 2023. (Photo: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP.)

The fleet sail past Genesis Island during a practice race ahead of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Friday 17 February 2023. (Photo: David Gray for SailGP.)

Spain SailGP Team pass spectator boats on Race Day 1 of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Saturday 18 February 2023. (Photo: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP.)

Spectators look on from a spectator boat as Denmark SailGP Team presented by ROCKWOOL helmed by Nicolai Sehested and Canada SailGP Team helmed by Phil Robertson sail past on Race Day 1 of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Saturday 18 February 2023. (Photo: Chris Elfes for SailGP.)

The fleet with Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background on Race Day 1 of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Saturday 18 February 2023. (Photo: Patrick Hamilton for SailGP.)

Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team helmed by Ben Ainslie, Switzerland SailGP Team helmed by Sebastien Schneiter and USA SailGP Team helmed by Jimmy Spithill race side by side toward the Sydney Harbour Bridge during a practice session ahead of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Friday 17 February 2023. (Photo: Bob Martin for SailGP.)

The fleet led by Denmark SailGP Team presented by ROCKWOOL ahead of USA SailGP Team, Canada SailGP Team Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team and Switzerland SailGP Team sail past the skyline on Race Day 1 of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Saturday 18 February 2023. (Photo: Bob Martin for SailGP.)

The SailGP fleet in action with Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House in the background on Race Day 1 of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Saturday 18 February 2023. (Photo: Chloe Knott for SailGP.)

The first fleet race began with Australia announcing it would not be able to race due to technical issues before the gold and green F50 dramatically crossed the start line. Despite issues, the team held on throughout messy manoeuvres to finish the race in third overall.

Meanwhile, Peter Burling’s New Zealand, currently second in the Championship standings, was forced to retire from the first race due to technical issues and finished the day in sixth overall, one point behind Denmark in fifth.

Emirates GBR grinder Matt Gotrel fell through the fairing of the foiling F50 catamaran as the team approached the finish line while travelling at speeds of 50 km/h.

Gotrel remained attached to the F50 via his safety line and was quickly pulled back on board by his teammates with no injuries reported. The team went on to finish the race in sixth place and picked up a record of 6–6–2 across the first day.

Day 1 belonged to the French – Quentin Delapierre’s France team rose to the challenge of dominating the racing, picking up three consecutive race wins.

Jimmy Spithill’s United States team kept their San Francisco hopes alive by picking up three second-place positions and finishing in second overall.

Plagued by technical issues, home favourites Australia still managed a respectable racing record of 3–4–6 to finish third after three fleet races.

Diego Botin’s second day behind the wheel of the Spanish F50 resulted in the team picking up an 8–5–9 racing record, with promising moments throughout.

After the cancellation of Day 2 of racing, France has moved back into third place on the overall Championship leaderboard after dominating fleet racing on the first day of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix.

Denmark SailGP Team presented by ROCKWOOL, France SailGP Team and Switzerland SailGP Team on Race Day 1 of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Saturday 18 February 2023. (Photo: David Gray for SailGP.)

France SailGP Team helmed by Quentin Delapierre during a practice session ahead of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Friday 17 February 2023. (Photo: Bob Martin for SailGP.)

Quentin Delapierre, driver of France SailGP Team smiles as he talks with a member of the France SailGP Team shore crew following racing on Race Day 1 of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Saturday 18 February 2023. (Photo: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP.)

France SailGP Team celebrate with the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix trophy in their team hangar after winning the event following their three wins on Race Day 1. KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Sunday 19 February 2023. (Photo: Adam Warner for SailGP.)

The France SailGP Team lined up in the technical area with the F50 catamaran behind ahead of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Thursday 16 February 2023. (Photo: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP.)

The fleet sails toward the city skyline with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the distance on Race Day 1 of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Saturday 18 February 2023. (Photo: Simon Bruty for SailGP.)

Aerial view of the technical area with the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House in the distance taken from the Crown Hotel, ahead of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Monday 13 February 2023. (Photo: Felix Diemer for SailGP.)

View of the damaged wing of the Canada SailGP Team F50 catamaran at the technical area following the storm after racing on Race Day 1 of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Sunday 19 February 2023. (Photo: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP.)

Sir Russell Coutts SailGP CEO leads an executive meeting with the team CEOs and driver meeting. KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Sunday 19 February 2023. (Photo: David Gray for SailGP.)

Saturday’s three fleet races were deemed enough to constitute an event despite the cancellation of the second day of racing due to a major weather incident.

The refreshed Championship standings see France move into the coveted third place position with 63 points, just one point from New Zealand in second place, while Australia still tops the rankings on 76 points.

Despite moving down to fourth place, the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team is just two points behind France. Denmark also remains within touching distance of the top three with 57 points.

Speaking about the event, driver Quentin Delapierre said Sydney was exactly what his team needed.

“We’re ticking the boxes and are super happy with the results here. However, the storm was tricky and it was disappointing not to be able to finish with a Sunday super finale,” he said.

“We all want to help and support SailGP and the tech team recover for Christchurch – it will be a big push for sure.”

The league has indicated that after a preliminary assessment, it plans to move forward with the next two events in Season 3, the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch on 18 and 19 March and the Grand Final, the United States Sail Grand Prix | San Francisco, on 6 and 7 May.

SailGP.com

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