GBR nail the start and set the tone
Fleet Race 5 began with slightly steadier breeze than anything seen on Saturday, though it still felt thin across much of the course. Emirates GBR read the line best. Fletcher’s crew held their pace, cleared the group early, and rounded Mark 1 with a small but important lead.
Canada and Germany settled in behind them. Both boats felt comfortable from the start, picked the pressure well, and stayed out of the messy traffic that forced others into trouble.
Boundary calls start piling up
Once the fleet compressed down the first run, the race turned into a tussle with the boundaries. It didn’t take long for the umpires to get involved.
New Zealand were the first major casualty, copping a boundary penalty on the run. They lost their lane immediately, dropped out of the front group, and spent the rest of the race trying to protect whatever points were left on the table.
France and Spain also slipped outside the limit a short time later. Both had been shaping nicely until those calls stopped them dead. Switzerland then picked up a boundary infringement of their own; a moment that knocked them out of the midfield completely.
Three boats stay clear and take control
With half the fleet dealing with penalties, the front settled into a clear pattern. GBR held the cleanest lines. Canada stayed steady, matching their height and keeping things simple. Germany kept pressure on both teams, sailing long, patient legs that made it hard for anyone behind them to close up.
For the first time this weekend, the course rewarded those who avoided unnecessary manoeuvres. The front three did exactly that, turning every mark without fuss.
Italy, France and Australia form the middle pack
Further back, Italy sailed one of their tidiest races of the event. Robertson’s crew avoided the chaos at Mark 3, picked the better shifts as the breeze flicked right, and edged away from the next group.
France never fully recovered from their early trouble but held their speed well enough to stay inside the top five. Australia chased them all the way to the line but couldn’t quite find the height they needed upwind to bridge the gap.
Spain, New Zealand, Brazil and the United States followed at longer intervals. All four were hurt at different moments by penalties or light-air stalls that broke their rhythm.
Final run: GBR unchallenged, Canada firm, Germany safe
The last run into the finish played out without much change. GBR protected their lead and stayed in the best of the pressure. Canada crossed soon after, with Germany locking in third and closing out a solid performance.
France took fourth. Italy, Australia and Spain spread across the next group. Don’t count out Tom Slingsby and the Australian team. New Zealand brought the boat home in eighth, followed by Brazil, the United States, Denmark, and Switzerland.
One race down, one race to go, here in Abu Dhabi. Then the Championship final.
Points
Fleet Race 5 points
1. Great Britain, 10pts
2. Canada, 9pts
3. Germany, 8pts
4. France, 7pts
5. Italy, 6pts
6. Australia, 5pts
7. Spain, 4pts
8. New Zealand, 3pts
9. Brazil, 2pts
10. Denmark, 1pt
11. USA, 0pts
12. Switzerland, 0pts
Event points
Heading into Fleet Race 5
1. Denmark, 37pts
2. Italy, 22pts
3. Switzerland, 21pts
4. USA, 20pts
5. Canada, 16pts
6. Germany, 16pts
7. New Zealand, 15pts
8. Brazil, 14pts
9. France, 13pts
10. Great Britain, 11pts
11. Australia, 11pts
12. Spain, 8pts
After Fleet Race 5
1. Denmark, 38pts
2. Italy, 28pts
3. Canada, 25pts
4. Germany, 24pts
5. Great Britain, 21pts
6. Switzerland, 21pts
7. France, 20pts
8. USA, 20pts
9. New Zealand, 18pts
10. Australia, 16pts
11. Brazil, 16pts
12. Spain, 12pts
