Spain’s Los Gallos defeated league heavyweights Australia and New Zealand who finished second and third respectively in winner-takes-all Grand Final race in San Francisco on July 15.
It was once again all about the start, which driver Diego Botin executed to perfection straight from the starting blocks.
Botin enthused: “Beating the Kiwis and Aussies in the Grand Final here in San Francisco – it’s amazing. We’re over the moon. It’s been a big grind and we’ve been through a lot in this League – last season we were last in the scores, and look, this season we win! I think we have an amazing team; let’s see if we can keep it together and keep the ball rolling.”
With Australia hot on Spain’s heels for the duration of the Grand Final race, it was all down to moments before the final manoeuvre where Australia lost critical momentum to a technical error. Botin soared into the win, delighting cheering Spanish fans, with plenty to celebrate on a Super Sunday of Spanish sport.
Despite being the on-form team throughout the season, New Zealand’s third-place position proved what makes the winner-takes-all Grand Final as cut-throat as it gets. Driver Peter Burling said: “We’re all feeling the pain at the moment, but we’re really proud of the way the team has gone about their business. We’ll go back, reflect on that and come out swinging next season.”
Looking ahead to the 2024/25 Season, SailGP has confirmed that, for the first time ever, teams will get vital training at two pre-season training camps in Bermuda and Dubai, beginning in August and October, respectively.
The 2024/2025 Season will begin with the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas on November 23-24, 2024.
