The atmosphere was electric as Race 7 at SailGP LA unfolded—a race charged with drama, high stakes, and unexpected twists. With just one qualifying race left, every team knew exactly what was required to secure a coveted spot in the final three and a chance at the Los Angeles crown. The Brits have a chance to get into the final, but its mathematical – its between Australia and Emirates GBR to find who gets to race in the finals!
British brilliance from the outset
As the fleet surged across the start line, the UK immediately made their intentions clear. Despite early protests from Germany—both dismissed by umpires—the British boat surged ahead, rounding Mark 1 in a solid position just 25.7 seconds after the start, trailing closely behind the Swiss, Germans, and Italians.
By Mark 2, however, the British boat, driven expertly by Dylan Fletcher, seized control, rounding at just 1 minute 17 seconds after the start and swiftly assuming leadership of the race. From this point, the British sailors showcased flawless tactical sailing, capitalising on steady winds and excellent boat handling to strengthen their grip on the lead.
Kiwis in crisis early
In stark contrast to Britain’s strong start, New Zealand suffered a nightmare scenario, lagging significantly behind and initially dropping to last place. Sitting at the back of the fleet, the Kiwis found themselves at risk of missing out entirely on the SailGP LA final—an unthinkable scenario for skipper Peter Burling and crew.
Yet, despite their poor start, New Zealand remained calm and determined. Slowly but surely, they clawed back precious positions, rounding Mark 2 in ninth place, 59.7 seconds off Britain’s pace, still leaving them considerable work to do.
Australia slips into dangerous territory
Australia, the dominant force earlier in the day, experienced their own share of struggles, slipping dangerously into last place midway through the race. At Mark 3, the Australians rounded 1 minute 51.5 seconds behind the leader, placing their spot in the finals suddenly in jeopardy.
Australia’s task was clear: finish at least seventh to secure a position in the final three. But with rivals like Germany, Italy, and Canada all racing strongly, Australia had little margin for error. Tension aboard the Australian boat was palpable as skipper Tom Slingsby and crew faced the unthinkable prospect of elimination.
Gate 3 drama sets the stage
At Gate 3, Britain maintained control, rounding at exactly 3 minutes 20 seconds, establishing clear dominance. Behind them, Germany (30.7 seconds behind), Italy (45.1 seconds behind), and Canada (55.1 seconds behind) rounded out the front of the chasing pack.
New Zealand, making steady progress, rounded Gate 3 in seventh place, 1 minute 42.7 seconds adrift. Australia, meanwhile, faced mounting pressure, their seventh-place requirement looming large as they languished perilously close to the elimination zone.
Britain holds firm as the fleet closes in
At Gate 4, the UK maintained their lead, rounding comfortably at 4 minutes 59.8 seconds after the start. Germany (48.6 seconds behind) and Italy (49.4 seconds behind) pressed closely, with Canada also holding firm just over a minute behind.
In the chasing pack, Australia continued fighting desperately, rounding Gate 4 in eighth position, 2 minutes and 1.2 seconds behind, teetering on the brink of elimination. At the same point, New Zealand had improved significantly, rounding 1 minute and 59.8 seconds behind, gradually stabilising their finals hopes.
Britain clinches the race – Australia’s finals fate in doubt
Britain crossed the finish line in emphatic style, finishing the race in 8 minutes 35 seconds, securing their essential victory. Germany followed closely, finishing second just 29.7 seconds behind the leaders, marking their strongest performance yet at the LA meet.
Italy clinched third, with New Zealand’s remarkable recovery effort securing them a critical fourth place, despite finishing 1 minute and 38.9 seconds adrift. Canada followed closely in fifth.
With Britain’s win, the spotlight turned anxiously to Australia, whose finals fate now depended on whether they could achieve the crucial seventh place needed to edge Britain out of contention.
Nail-biting finale for Australia
In the closing moments, all eyes were fixed on the Australian boat. After a late-race protest from Australia against Germany—which was swiftly dismissed—the Australians faced a high-stakes sprint to the finish line. Managing to just cling onto seventh position, they secured their place in the LA finals by the slimmest of margins.
This meant heartbreak for Britain, whose valiant efforts ultimately fell agonisingly short. Despite their dominant performance, Britain’s fate hinged entirely on Australia’s placement—a stark reminder of SailGP’s ruthless competitive reality.
Finals field set: Australia, New Zealand, Canada
With Race 7 complete, the stage was finally set for the three-team finale. Australia’s narrow survival meant they joined New Zealand and Canada in the grand final showdown. The tension, excitement, and drama from the qualifying round promised even greater thrills in the battle for the LA SailGP crown.
As crews regrouped and reset their sights, one question remained on everyone’s lips: who among these top contenders would claim ultimate victory?
The answer awaits on the waters of LA.
