A game of musical chairs
Brazil bolted out of the gate, taking an early lead, but Australia quickly reclaimed their familiar position at the front. It seemed, for a moment, that Tom Slingsby’s crew would dominate the race once again, but in fleet racing, nothing is guaranteed.
As Australia sailed ahead, Denmark and Italy fought for second place. The Danes, known for their relentless pursuit, capitalised on a rare Australian misstep at Gate 1 as they fell off their foils, momentarily snatching the lead. By Leg 3, Australia surged back ahead, showcasing the speed and precision that have made them a team to beat. Yet, their dominance was anything but assured—Denmark was determined, keeping pressure on the Aussies as the fleet pushed through Gate 3.
Further back, New Zealand struggled. Stuck in ninth place, only narrowly overtaking Switzerland, it was evident that the Kiwis’ performance lacked the cohesion and execution fans have come to expect. As the race wore on, New Zealand clawed their way to eighth place, but the pressure mounted. Could they secure a podium finish and keep their finals hopes alive?
Denmark’s moment
As the fleet approached Gate 5, Australia held a commanding lead, but their fortunes changed in a flash. Coming in too hot, the Aussies fell off their foils, handing the lead to Denmark. With cool-headed precision, Nicolai Sehested’s Danish team crossed the finish line first, delivering a crucial victory.
Australia recovered to take second, but the mistake was costly, raising questions about whether they’ve become too reliant on their perceived invincibility. Spain secured third place, continuing their consistent performance in this event. Great Britain and Brazil followed, with New Zealand scraping into sixth—just enough to keep them in contention for the finals.
What went wrong for New Zealand?
The New Zealand crew’s performance raised eyebrows. What’s behind their uncharacteristic struggles? At one point in Leg 2, they appeared to find their rhythm, moving up from 10th to eighth, but a costly dive into the water at Gate 2 stalled their momentum. With their home waters providing a theoretical advantage, why does the team look less polished and slower compared to rivals?
The Kiwis’ boat speed also lagged, clocking just 56 km/h while other teams pushed closer to 70 km/h. Are equipment setups or tactical decisions holding them back? With the final race looming, New Zealand’s chances hinge on flawless execution and finding the speed that has eluded them thus far.
Tactical brilliance from Denmark
Denmark’s win demonstrated the importance of seizing opportunities and staying consistent. Sehested’s crew capitalised on Australia’s error with split-second decision-making, proving that patience and adaptability are as critical as raw speed. Their victory also sends a strong message: the Danes are ready to challenge for the championship.
Spain’s rise
Spain’s third-place finish underlined their role as defending champions with serious credentials. They showcased their tactical prowess, staying in contention throughout and fending off challenges from Great Britain and Brazil. Spain’s steady performance puts them in an excellent position heading into the finals.
One race left: High stakes for all
With one fleet race remaining before the final showdown, the leaderboard remains tight. Australia, Great Britain, and Spain lead the pack, but New Zealand’s sixth-place finish in Race 6 keeps them hanging on by a thread. Can the Kiwis mount a comeback on home waters and give their fans something to cheer about?
Stay tuned for what promises to be an explosive finale to SailGP’s Auckland event.
