As I write about the third race, I can hear the commentators covering the fourth, and I can tell you both have been incredibly exciting.
The Black Foils take a penalty early in the race
At the start of Race 3, the Black Foils, stuck in the crowded pack, took an early penalty that dropped them to last place with significant ground to make up. Starting at the back is always a tough challenge, and for any team—including the Black Foils—recovering from such a setback makes a top-three or top-four finish nearly impossible.
The mantra on every team’s mind right now is, “The team that nails the start has a strong chance of winning the race.” This makes it crucial for each team to deliver their best possible start.
Early leaders
Canada led going into the second leg at 1 minute and 29 seconds.
Looking back at the Black Foils, it was encouraging to see them move up to 8th place after Spain received a penalty.
By the third leg, France had overtaken Canada to take the lead. But soon after, to our excitement, Mubadala Brazil surged ahead. As a new team on the SailGP circuit this season, they’ve often been the underdog—full of potential but yet to fully capitalise on it. We had the honour of meeting Martine earlier this year in Auckland, New Zealand, and were blown away by her sportsmanship, and drive. Seeing Mubadala Brazil so high on the leaderboard early in the race was a thrilling moment for the sport.
Looking back at the Black Foils, we saw they had overtaken Germany to move into 7th place. But could they climb even higher?
At the third gate, Mubadala Brazil narrowly stayed ahead of the tightly packed fleet in what could only be described as a ‘dog pile.’ As they entered Leg 5, they had built a solid lead, with France chasing behind.
Looking back at the Black Foils, we saw them drop to 10th place after another penalty—a frustrating setback after their victories in the first two races. This third race was packed with penalties, reflecting the tight course and the fierce determination of the teams to win.
Near the front of the pack, Australia made a bold move, forcing France into a difficult position and seizing second place. Martine Grael, leading Mubadala Brazil, would have felt the pressure as the Australians closed in. With the Black Foils out of contention, we held our breath, hoping Grael and her team could secure a historic first victory.
Unfortunately, at the final moment, Mubadala Brazil took a wide line around the last gate, leaving just enough room for Australia to slip through on the inside and slingshot ahead to claim victory.
The excitement wasn’t over yet. In a bold attempt to climb a few positions before the race ended, the Black Foils made a ‘hell of a daring move’ to claim eighth place. However, they fell short and ended up receiving yet another penalty.
Standings
1st: Australia
2nd: Mubadala Brazil
3rd: France
