Spain's SailGP came close to repeating their win in Los Angeles at the start of Season 4 in Abu Dhabi. Only New Zealand managed to snatch victory from Spain.
In the first regatta of the day, the Spaniards complicated their presence in the final after finishing last. It was a test in which only Spain and the Australians made a proper start, while the other teams were penalized. However, despite starting to climb up to the last gate in the seventh, Spain could not come back. Therefore, the chances of reaching any of the top three positions will depend on a good result in the last qualifying round of the weekend.
Bodin's men were more aggressive at the start of the fifth race, moving into second place in the first float and overtaking the German soon after leaving it. From that moment on, they opened up a gap with the other teams and advanced towards the finish line. However, it remains to be seen what other teams have done. Germany ranks second and the US ranks third in this test. The surprise was undoubtedly provided by Australia, which, despite winning the first heat of the day, ended up finishing ninth, bowing out of the finals. Results from different teams allowed Spain to finish second at the weekend, alongside New Zealand and the Americans.
Peter Burling, repeated success
In the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix final, New Zealand, captained by Peter Burling, took advantage of an early clash between Spain and the United States to lead the race in the first seconds. Both teams closed in on the Kiwis at certain intervals of the regatta, but could not stop them from taking their second consecutive Grand Prix victory.
After this weekend's results, the SailGP classification tightens up again. Australia are at the top with 56 points, 6 points more than New Zealanders. The United States closed out the podium with 43 points, the same as Canada. Next, in fifth place, appears Spain, with 42. After Mina Saeed's good result in the water, the Spanish team rises in the classification and approaches third place, which gives access to the final in San Francisco.
“It was a very similar day to yesterday. In the first race we were hurt by the bubble at the start with all the F50s, but in the second we won and got into the final.said Diego Botin, the stick of the Spanish team. “The final is a different game. We got into a fight with the Americans and it gave the Kiwis the win. However, it was a great weekend for the team, the result of all the effort, analysis and a team working very well.”It's done.
The next SailGP event is the KPMG Australia Grand Prix, which will take place on February 24 and 25 in the iconic waters of Sydney Harbour.
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