A sharp start and clean air set Denmark up for one of their tidiest races of the season, leaving the fleet chasing shadows in drifting conditions.
A clean getaway for Denmark
Race 3 began in a gentle breeze that barely filled the wings. Starts mattered more than anything else, and Denmark got it right. Nicolai Sehested’s crew hit the line at pace on the windward end and sailed straight into clear air.
Australia and the USA jumped early and had to burn OCS penalties before they could settle. Switzerland and Canada looked well set in the opening sprint, while New Zealand threaded in through a narrow lane.
The first mark brought trouble. New Zealand were ruled to have shut out GBR on the inside and took a penalty, which immediately pushed them into the mid-fleet squeeze.
Canada slips backwards
At the first bottom gate Denmark stretched away while the group behind began to bunch. With almost no pressure across half the course, a single slow tack or gybe cost big metres.
Canada suffered the harshest blow. A board-cycling penalty dropped them out of the podium hunt. In this sort of breeze, once you’re buried, you stay buried.
Spain took the opposite path. Sailing clean on the inside, they picked their moments well and climbed steadily. Italy matched them, setting up a battle that shaped the next two legs.
The chase reshuffles
The following upwind showed how fickle the breeze was. The left side paid, giving Spain another lift and pushing them into the top three. Italy held their lane nicely. Switzerland stayed patient and kept the boat moving when others stalled.
New Zealand tried to clear their second penalty but could not break free of disturbed air. Australia, still recovering from the OCS, had to grind their way back through the dirty lanes.
Denmark in control
Denmark rounded the final gate with space to spare. From there, it was a matter of keeping the bows down and staying in what little breeze was left. Switzerland protected second with tidy manoeuvres. Italy held third and never looked rattled.
The final turn produced one more twist. USA found a clean gybe and slipped past Spain, nudging the defending champions down to fifth. That single move may carry weight in the overall standings.
Germany, Brazil, and Australia arrived next. New Zealand crossed in tenth after a tough afternoon in the penalties box. Canada, after such a strong start, followed them home at the back.
Three races down, one race to go, here in Abu Dhabi.
Denmark’s win put real heat on the mid-fleet standings and reminded everyone how dangerous they are when the breeze fades. Switzerland’s second was well earned, and Italy showed proper form with another top-three.
Spain missed a chance to close the gap on Australia and New Zealand. Australia’s eighth keeps them alive heading into the next race, but it wasn’t a comfortable one.
New Zealand remain in the Grand Final frame, but mistakes in light air have left them with a job to do.
Points
Race points
1. Denmark, 10pts
2. Switzerland, 9pts
3. Italy, 8pts
4. USA, 7pts
5. Spain, 6pts
6. Germany, 5pts
7. Brazil, 4pts
8. Australia, 3pts
9. Great Britain, 2pts
10. France, 1pt
11. New Zealand, 0pts
12. Canada, 0pts
