Curious SailGP final with a series of crashes and a whale breach: One million US dollars for Australia's best

After 48 races for eight teams at eight events, the highest prize money in international sailing has been awarded: The Australian SailGP team led by Tom Slingsby defended its SailGP title off San Francisco on Monday night and scooped a million US dollars! The decision was made on a day of sailing that was as dramatic as it was curious.

Firstly, on Sunday evening, the last two fleet races of the second SailGP season were rocked by several collisions in sometimes very gusty conditions. The first was caused by the new Spanish helmsman Jordi Xammar and his team in the first race of the final day, when they crashed into the American boat that had already qualified for the final on the leeward gate. The Spanish 470 helmsman Jordi Xammar, who had been highly praised for his strong debut performance the day before, had raced between the mark and the American without an overlap or right of way, where Jimmy Spithill and the American SailGP team were unable to get out of the way.

Both boats suffered holes in their hulls - the Americans at the back of the port hull, the Spaniards on starboard. It was frightening to see how close the "derailed" Spanish hull came to the sailors on the US boat, who remained unharmed - like all the sailors on this memorable day between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Shortly after the crash, the hardened Jimmy Spithill commented dryly on the incident: "Yes, it got pretty exciting when they tried to get on board with us. We had to remove the fairing at the rear, but that's nothing that can stop us."

While the Spaniards, who had not qualified for the final anyway, had to make an early return home, the Americans made every effort on the water to get their boat back on the water. They managed to remove the demolished stern extension and provisionally protect the shortened hull. They also used the time of the last fleet race, in which they did not take part, to do this. It began with a delay because a mark had come loose. With only six competitors, the race was rocked by another dramatic collision between France and New Zealand, in which the Kiwis incurred four penalty points and the British narrowly escaped a dangerous situation and a possible three-way crash with right of way. Most spectators must have held their breath for several seconds as they watched the situation unfold.

The fifth and final fleet race, and with it the Mubadala United States Grand Prix, was won by Tom Slingsby's dominant Team Australia ahead of Sir Ben Ainslie's British SailGP team and the Japanese with helmsman Nathan Outteridge. But the highlight of the day was still to come with the final of the season's top three teams and the battle for one million US dollars in prize money. Involved: The Australian top favourites aroundTom Slingsbywho have won five out of eight events in the second SailGP season. Plus the "limping" Americans with their often furious helmsmanJimmy Spithillwho had not been able to win a regatta, but were able to place in the top three of the season rankings thanks to consistently good performances. And finally the Japanese with 49er Olympic championNathan Outteridge at the wheel, who got better and better towards the end of the season.

The grand final also started with a delay. With good positioning, the handicapped Americans were able to get ahead at the start because both opponents had conceded a penalty and had to slow down. This allowed the Spithill crew to pull away with impressive speed. However, their joy did not last long, as the Australians rolled up the field from behind, put in an impressive lap and took the lead again. A gigantic left-hand spin seemed to derail the three-way battle again as the final was suddenly cancelled. The reason was the sighting of a whale close to the course. The SailGP protocol provides for the race to be cancelled in such a case to protect marine life.

Fans in Europe had to hold out until 0.50 a.m. on Monday night to see the next take-off attempt. It was better than the TV broadcast, which is usually of such high quality. It weakened at this season highlight, sometimes giving the impression that it was being overtaken again and again by the speed on the water. The missed start to race two, often missing animations and strange jumps in direction were a challenge for the TV audience.

The Australians won the final because they started with better timing, were the first to get on the foils in the flatter conditions and pulled away. Neither opponent recovered from this disadvantage over the course of the race. Although the Australians also got stuck at the windward mark at one point, it was no different for their pursuers in the wind hole. With a lead of over a kilometre at times, the green and yellow boat crossed the finish line as the unchallenged leader after just under ten minutes of racing. They were followed by the Japanese 46 seconds behind and, after a long delay, by the Americans.

"Money comes and goes, fame stays forever"

Tom Slingsby and his team, in which tactician Nina Curtis was the first woman to celebrate a SailGP season win, enjoyed the renewed triumph. Slingsby said: "Even more important than the money is the fact that Australia came out on top. We can call ourselves the best in the world. Money comes and goes, but glory lasts forever. I know that's just a saying, but we're enjoying that feeling right now." The beaten Jimmy Spithill could only take a fair bow: "At the end of the day, you really have to praise the Australians. They've been the benchmark all season. To come here and win again is very impressive. They deserved the win."

It should be added that the New Zealanders won the "Impact League", which was organised alongside sailing, ahead of Sir Ben Ainslie's Brits and the Australians. Although this victory will not be a complete consolation for New Zealand's super sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke after their mixed first SailGP season, it does come with a prize of 100,000 US dollars for the team's successful commitment to the environment. 35,000 US dollars was awarded for second place and a further 15,000 US dollars for third place. To the Final ranking of the second SailGP season here (please click!). To the Final result of the Mubadala United States Sail Grand Prix here. And here you can go to the Replay of the TV broadcast from the final day.