A record-breaking start
Race 3 exploded off the line in perfect Baltic conditions. Denmark lit up the fleet at mark one, clocking 103 km/h — the fastest recorded speed in SailGP history. The roar of the Danish F50 brought gasps from commentators and fans alike, setting the stage for a dramatic heat.
Australia and the United States chased hard, while Spain looked quick in the early exchanges. France and Germany, buoyed by earlier results, stayed clean through the opening gates.
For the Black Foils, a promising mid-line start quickly soured. Struggling for consistent pressure, they were squeezed into tight lanes and forced into reactive sailing.
Australia takes control
As the race settled, Australia’s Tom Slingsby played the pressure lines to perfection. Splitting from Denmark, the Aussies found stronger breeze and surged into the lead. From there, their downwind pace was unmatched.
France and Germany stayed in touch, both handling the shifting conditions with calm precision. Italy and Switzerland held steady, while Canada gambled on a split that briefly threatened the frontrunners but ultimately left them vulnerable to the Americans.
Mid-fleet chaos
Behind the leaders, the race turned brutal. Passing lanes opened and closed in seconds, and one wrong manoeuvre could cost hundreds of metres.
Canada and the USA fought tooth-and-nail through the final gate, with Canfield’s American crew edging ahead in the last sprint. Italy and Switzerland clung to the mid-pack, while Spain slipped back after a promising start.
The real shock came from Emirates GBR and the Black Foils. Both had been inside the top six mid-race but lost rhythm. Emirates GBR collapsed down the order to finish 11th, while New Zealand crossed in 10th — a costly blow after two steady earlier races.
A statement win
Australia’s victory was more than just another notch in their SailGP résumé. After a sluggish start to the day, the three-time champions reminded the fleet why they remain the benchmark. With raw pace, sharp tactics, and unshakable composure, Slingsby’s crew converted pressure into dominance.
France and Germany’s podiums keep them firmly in the mix, while Denmark’s speed record will go down as one of Sassnitz’s defining moments.
For New Zealand and Britain, though, Race 3 was a warning: in SailGP’s most volatile conditions, even the smallest slip is punished without mercy.
