Day 2 of the Mubadala Sail Grand Prix in New York delivered a turning point—not just for the regatta, but possibly for the entire season. Brazil claimed their first-ever SailGP race win in a tightly fought Race 4, and it couldn’t have come at a better moment. In a league where consistency and timing are everything, Brazil showed poise under pressure and now look like serious contenders for the season crown.
Conditions on the Hudson River were near-perfect—smooth water, moderate breeze, and a clean race course. With the lighter, inconsistent airs of day one behind them, teams had a real opportunity to showcase pace and control. And Brazil did just that.
Early moves define the race
Spain got out to an early lead at the start, but Brazil were right there with them. Leg after leg, the two teams traded blows, sailing with sharp lines and smooth transitions. Meanwhile, New Zealand sat mid-fleet—fifth at the first mark—and looked like they were positioning themselves for a late charge.
But then came a defining moment. Mid-race, New Zealand made a bold tactical decision around one of the marks, choosing the opposite side of the course to the leading pack. It was a gamble. With six crew onboard and high stakes in play, it may have been a move to seek clean air or shift leverage. Instead, they sailed straight into lighter breeze and dropped places fast. From fifth, they tumbled to 11th. A moment’s misread, and the damage was done.
By contrast, Brazil made all the right calls. At Leg 3, they took the outright lead and never gave it up. Their downwind speed was notable, their mark roundings clean. Spain stayed in close pursuit, but Brazil’s line was tight, fast and confident.
A crucial result with major implications
Brazil crossed the line in 7 minutes and 15 seconds—15 seconds ahead of Spain. France followed in third. New Zealand, after a furious fightback, managed to scrape into fourth place, finishing just four seconds behind the French.
Four seconds. That tiny margin could be what ends New Zealand’s campaign in New York.
With only two fleet races remaining before the top three progress to the final, Brazil, Spain, and France are now firmly in control. All three have posted solid, steady results throughout the event. Brazil in particular look like a team transformed—calm, calculated, and capable. Their trajectory since entering SailGP has been upward, but this win makes them more than just promising—they’re now proven.
New Zealand, bold but brittle
For the Black Foils, it’s been a weekend of highs and heartbreak. A strong Race 1. A dominant Race 3. But the 11th in Race 2 and now the narrow fourth in Race 4 are proving hard to erase. SailGP isn’t about winning every race—it’s about avoiding the blowouts. And despite the talent onboard, New Zealand has had too many “nearly” moments.
Today’s mid-race gamble is a textbook example. It wasn’t reckless, but it was risky—and in SailGP’s razor-thin margins, risky moves need to pay off immediately. When they don’t, the consequences are brutal.
A hot finish looms
Looking ahead to Races 5 and 6, the maths is not in New Zealand’s favour. Spain, Brazil and France now occupy the event’s top three positions. For the Kiwis to reach the final, one of those teams must falter significantly—and New Zealand must finish near the top in both remaining races. The pressure is immense, and the room for error is nil.
Elsewhere, it’s a tale of inconsistency. Great Britain, once dominant in Sydney, have slumped with an 11th-place finish in Race 4. The USA, racing on home waters, continue to underdeliver—coming in 12th. Meanwhile, Australia has seen its own troubles with penalties and protests, including a port-starboard foul against Switzerland and boundary infractions that cost them valuable metres.
Brazil’s momentum shift
This win means more than just points. It’s a psychological pivot. Brazil now have the confidence of knowing they can close out a race under fire. Their tactical calls are crisp. Their boat speed is competitive. Their composure is obvious.
If you’re a rival team, Brazil is now on your radar not as a spoiler—but as a genuine threat.
With two fleet races left and then the three-boat final, anything can still happen. But one thing is clear: Brazil no longer look like an outside shot. They look like the team to beat.
And for New Zealand? The margin for error is gone. The next two races are everything.
