The second day of the Dubai Sail Grand Prix delivered an almost laid-back start as the fleet fought through light, tactical winds in Race 4 (the first of the day).
Going into the race, the teams knew where they sat on the overall leaderboard after the first day of racing. With two races (Race 4 and 5) to go before the finals of the Dubai event, their placing in each race would be vital.
After Rac 3 (the last race of Day 1) the overall points table was as follows:
Australia: 24 points
New Zealand: 23 points
Great Britain: 18 points
Canada: 18 points
United States: 18 points
Switzerland: 17 points
Spain: 16 points
Germany: 15 points
Denmark: 7 points
Brazil: 6 points
Italy: 3 points
After a delay in the start of the race due to lack of wind, finally the start happened 60 minutes later than originally expected, winds filled in and the racing started!
A Strong Start
The teams crossed the start line almost in unison, with Germany, New Zealand, and Australia vying for early positioning. Denmark surged ahead, crossing the start line just 2.5 seconds ahead of the tightly packed fleet, with Australia and Canada hot on their heels. The start was intense, with every team pushing hard to gain a vital early advantage.
New Zealand Moves Ahead
By gate 1, New Zealand began to assert their dominance. Showing exceptional upwind control, they rounded just 0.4 seconds behind Denmark, with Australia, Germany, and Canada chasing closely. Spain, though initially lagging, began to find their rhythm, rounding 1:14 seconds after the start and beginning their climb through the pack.
Protests And Penalties
The race wasn’t without its share of drama. A protest from Italy at Gate 1 didn’t result in penalties, but Germany found themselves under scrutiny later for not giving mark room to Canada. Umpires ruled in Canada’s favour, handing Germany a penalty that disrupted their mid-fleet campaign.
Midfield Battles Intensify
As the fleet rounded gate 2, the battle for middle positions heated up. New Zealand took the lead, followed closely by Spain, who had clawed their way up from a slower start. Switzerland also impressed, rounding third with a time of just 7.9 seconds behind the leader, while Australia and Denmark kept close.
Further down the pack, Great Britain and the United States fought to gain ground, with both showing strong tactical acumen in navigating the shifting winds.
Spain’s Late Surge
Spain’s persistence paid off at gate 4, where they moved into second position, just 12.8 seconds behind New Zealand. Their smooth transitions and consistent speed gave them the edge over competitors struggling to find balance in the light airs.
A Photo Finish
The final sprint to the finish line was indeed a spectacle of precision and nerve. New Zealand crossed first with a spunky move that brought them into the lead at the last possible moment, clocking in at 10:44 seconds after the start of the race. Spain followed just six seconds later; they sailed well, strategically and tactically, but underestimated the absolute passion of the New Zealand team.
Meanwhile, Denmark held their own to claim third, just ahead of Great Britain and Australia, who rounded out the top five. Further down the fleet, Brazil and Italy struggled to find consistency, finishing in 10th and 11th positions, respectively.
Final Results For Race 4
1st place – 10 points – New Zealand (Total points: 33 points)
2nd place – 9 points – Spain (Total points: 25 points)
3rd place – 8 points – Rockwool DEN (Total points: 15 points)
4th place – 7 points – Emirates GBR (Total points: 25 points)
5th place – 6 points – Australia (Total points: 30 points)
6th place – 5 points – USA (Total points: 23 points)
7th place – 4 points – Mubadala Brazil (Total points: 6 point)
8th place – 3 points – Canada (Total points: 21 points)
9th place – 2 points – Germany (Total points: 17 points)
10th place – 1 point – Red Bull Italy (Total points: 4 point)
11th place – 0 points – Switzerland (Total points: 17 points)
Looking Ahead
The New Zealand team’s precision and tactical decisions have cemented them as strong contenders for the Dubai Sail Grand Prix title. With one more match race to go today, the competition remains open, and fans can expect plenty more excitement as teams battle to secure a place in the Final.
Leaderboard
1st place – New Zealand (Total points: 33 points)
2nd place – Australia (Total points: 30 points)
3rd place – Spain (Total points: 25 points)
4th place – Emirates GBR (Total points: 25 points)
5th place – USA (Total points: 23 points)
6th place – Canada (Total points: 21 points)
7th place – Germany (Total points: 17 points)
8th place – Switzerland (Total points: 17 points)
9th place – Rockwool DEN (Total points: 15 points)
10th place – Mubadala Brazil (Total points: 6 point)
10th place – Red Bull Italy (Total points: 4 point)
