San Francisco: 5 things to watch out for when racing gets underway

Could we see another event winner?

Emirates GBR may currently sits at the top of the leaderboard, but the team is by no means dominating the fleet. The four events so far this season – Dubai, Auckland, Sydney and Los Angeles have all resulted in different winners – New Zealand, Australia, Emirates GBR and most recently Giles Scott’s NorthStar Canada. Who will rise to the top of the leaderboard to take the event win in San Francisco

Will ROCKWOOL DEN be on the start line?

Los Angeles was a disastrous event for Nicolai Sehested’s Danish team, which hit a mark in the first fleet race and was unable to race for the rest of the event due to damage to the team F50. Now the team is in a race against time to get their F50 race ready for San Francisco. Will they make the start line?

Big breeze contenders

Known for high end conditions and a strong current, San Francisco usually favors the high wind specialists of the fleet, such as Australia, New Zealand, Emirates GBR and France. Will one of these teams take the event trophy, and how will the newer teams cope with the breezier conditions?

USA at home

After an improved 9th place finish in Los Angeles, the United States has a second chance to defend home waters this weekend. Will Taylor Canfield’s crew take advantage of the home support for another improved performance?

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Can Spain repeat Season 4 performance in San Fran?

It’s been an up and down season so far for Season 4 champions Spain, with strong performances in Dubai and Auckland (4-2) before a dip in Sydney (7) and a mid-fleet finish in Los Angeles (5). Diego Botin’s team will be looking to make its mark on the season leaderboard with an event win. Can they do it in San Francisco, the backdrop to their Season 4 victory?

The Oracle San Francisco Sail Grand Prix takes place on March 22/23.