SailGP: The league is on a record-breaking run – with ‘French Kiss’ on Saturday

It was almost impossible to keep up this Saturday as the teams broke the speed record of 103.93 set last year at the Sassnitz debut. Six teams were faster this Saturday than the speedy Danes were when they set their record a year ago. Team Germany was also among the record-breakers. Helmsman Erik Kosegarten-Heil and his crew reached 104.6 km/h in fresh winds of around 18 knots and significantly stronger gusts.

Thrilling fun in Sassnitz for sailors and fans alike

​“It was impressive to see the records being broken time and time again. We held the record too, but it only lasted half an hour,” said Team Germany’s sailor Erik Kosegarten-Heil with a smile after the sailing races in Speedrausch. Great Britain (104.8 km/h), Brazil (105 km/h), Spain (106.55 km/h) and the former Danish record-holders from Team Rockwool Racing (106.79) were also faster than the fastest competitors at the inaugural event. The new record-holders, however, come from France. They gave the German leaders the “French Kiss” this Saturday as they rounded the mark for the last time that day.

"I've never felt anything like that in an F50 before. It was really extreme today." Quentin Delapierre

Quentin Delapierre and the DS Automobiles team, the defending champions at the Rockwool Germany SailGP, pushed their F50 racing catamaran to a breathtaking 107.6 km/h. ““The boat vibrates quite a lot at that speed, because at that rate we’re already experiencing cavitation and stall on the rudder. It’s a bit scary, too. Then we have to make sure we still stay in control. It’s by no means easy to stay on the foils at such speeds.”

The tough challenges facing SailGP sailors in the thrill of speed

Speaking about his own performance, Quentin Delapierre said: “I just focused on not putting too much pressure on the foil.” On the balancing act between intense concentration and the thrill of speed, Delapierre said: “I’ve found the adrenaline rush in my sport through SailGP and on the F50. When you’re racing against others at such speeds in a league like this, it’s all about the adrenaline.”

"Jason Saunders has to manage that as a flight controller. He’s done an incredible job today.” Quentin Delapierre

Following their impressive display, the French were in second place in Group A with 11 points, behind New Zealand’s Black Foils, who led the group with 12 points after three races in which they had performed with great authority. They found it a little more difficult Spain’s joint favourites, Los Gallos, who, on 7 points and trailing the French by 3 points, are currently level on points with the fourth-placed Swiss and lying in third place. Click here for Saturday’s results and the current standings in the Rockwool Germany SailGP.

Team Germany faced a tough challenge in Group B. The competition was more evenly matched here: Australia’s three-time SailGP record champions, the Bonds Flying Roos After the first three races, they lead the group with 10 points, ahead of the Swedish team Artemis (9 points) and the Canadian team NorthStar (8 points). And because the competition is so tight in this group, Team Germany (6 points) is also in fifth place behind Emirates GBR (7 points) on Sunday still a chance of reaching the final.

The Germany SailGP Team: they struggled at first, then triumphed

At half-time on Saturday evening in Sassnitz, following finishes of 6th, 5th and 1st, Erik Kosegarten-Heil gave a mixed assessment, saying: “We struggled in the first two races; we didn’t really get into our stride and didn’t quite make the right decisions in the starting grid. In the third race, however, we found the right answers, won the start and the race.” The game plan for the second half on Sunday is clear. “If we want to fight for a place in the final, we’ll have to take more risks tomorrow,” said the German SailGP skipper.

With its start-to-finish victory in last Saturday’s race, the German racing team has Strategist Anna Barth, wing trimmer Kevin Peponnet, flight controller James Wierzbowski and the grinders Linov Scheel and Will Tiller had the 7,500 or so spectators in the race stadium on the shores of the Baltic Sea leaping from their seats – late, but with great fanfare – and brought the first of the two race days to a golden close. With fresh forecasts once again predicting calm waters, there is another chance of a new record on Sunday. Quentin Delapierre said the record is beatable. He should know.

There are still a few tickets left for the final here. The group races involving the 13 teams will resume at 2 pm and will once again be broadcast live on ZDF Sport. The top two teams from Groups A and B will contest the final from around 3 pm. Travel and parking tips for first-time Sunday visitors You can find it here.

Their first race win came in the final race on Saturday – here’s how Team Germany had the fans on their feet during the first half of the Rockwool Germany Sail Grand Prix: