Day two of SailGP Los Angeles began with a surprising twist as Emirates Great Britain surged to an impressive victory in Race 5. From the outset, the British team dominated the course, leaving competitors far behind and finishing the shortened race comfortably in 9 minutes and 26 seconds.
The wind conditions proved challenging for all teams, with weak breezes causing many boats to struggle to maintain flight on their foils. The difficulty was evident right from the start, particularly affecting New Zealand’s Black Foils, who after a stellar performance yesterday, found themselves lagging behind early, crossing the first mark 10 seconds behind the leader and struggling in sixth place.
In stark contrast, Emirates GBR quickly built a substantial lead, rounding gate two at 1 minute and 53 seconds with no competitors close behind. Spain and Canada managed the conditions well, jostling behind the UK team and ultimately securing second and third place respectively.
France, fresh from a strong day one showing, initially struggled to maintain momentum after gate one, battling with Spain for positions behind GBR. However, the French team eventually settled into fourth place.
The lack of wind created challenging conditions for all teams, with many boats visibly struggling to stay airborne on their foils. As the race progressed, organisers were forced to shorten the course, turning Gate 4 into the finish line due to the weakening conditions.
Germany, who incurred an early penalty for a near collision at the start, along with Brazil, Italy, and the USA, all found themselves at the rear of the fleet, unable to gain significant ground in the light air.
Ultimately, Emirates GBR secured a commanding victory in Race 5, finishing in first place with a remarkable time of 9 minutes and 26 seconds. Spain crossed the finish line second, with Canada claiming third.
Race 5 Results
- 1st: Emirates Great Britain
- 2nd: Spain
- 3rd: Canada
- 4th: France
- 5th: Australia
Following their eighth-place finish, New Zealand will need a quick regrouping ahead of upcoming races if they are to maintain their top position in the overall leaderboard. While their performance yesterday has them still in a strong position, today’s race has shown the unpredictability of SailGP.
