There was plenty of pressure in the air on day one in the Italian SailGP area off Taranto. The wind was peppering the short race course with gusts of up to 25 knots. Even SailGP founder Russell Coutts expressed his respect for the conditions. "He told me he would be impressed if we didn't capsize today," said Erik Heil.
With foil break out of the jibe
However, the Germany SailGP Team, which only entered the World League this season, actually managed a good and controlled run in the hairy conditions at the start: after more than two thirds of the course, Erik Heil and his crew had secured sixth place in the current race. The team was remarkably fast, especially on the downwind sections. But then a foil broke out of a gybe.
The German F50 racing catamaran was overtaken by all competitors, could only limp to the finish line as the last boat and missed the next two races. Two-time Olympic bronze medallist Erik Heil said: "Of course that was annoying after the race went so well. We hope to be ready again tomorrow with the bigger foils and less wind."
US sailor injured in hospital
Commenting on the breakage, Heil said: "This has also happened to other teams such as the Swiss or the Spanish." The Germany SailGP team was still analysing the data and causes in the evening. The answer to the question of guilt could become relevant, as the New Zealanders, who did not start in Italy as a result of their dramatically broken wing rig in Saint-Tropez a fortnight ago, have just received compensation for the first time in the SailGP.
But the low point of the first day of racing in the Italian area of Taranto was not yet reached with the German foil break. In the strong and gusty winds, US sailor Hans Henken was injured during a manoeuvre by his team in the third race.
That was more frightening than I had previously thought" (Tom Slingsby)
An initial statement from the SailGP organisers said: "During the third race of the Rockwool Italy Sail Grand Prix today, 23 September, Hans Henken, an athlete on the United States SailGP team, was injured during a manoeuvre. The athlete is conscious, responding well and has been taken to hospital for a full examination."
After the first of the two race days and three completed heats, Sir Ben Ainslie's Team Emirates GBR and the three-time Australian season winners around Tom Slingsby lead the standings on equal points. Even the hard-nosed Australian top helmsman said after the challenging day: "That was scarier than I thought it would be." The race committee's decision to send the crews on the short course with the medium-sized sails instead of the smallest ones was also discussed in Taranto in the evening.
It was a great day for the flight controllers and the wing trimmers" Sir (Ben Ainslie)
After recent light wind regattas, the crews had to tame strong winds for the first time in a long time on 23 September in the Gulf of Taranto. The organisers also described the day with the windiest races of the season so far as "crazy".
The experienced Brits capitalised on their momentum to take 2nd, 2nd and 3rd after winning Saint-Tropez on Saturday. Skipper and helmsman Sir Ben Ainslie said: "This was a great day for the flight controllers and wing trimmers of the fleet. Luke Parkinson really went all out for us today to keep us flying - on days like today you really count on these guys."
The final in sight
The Australians recorded two stage wins and fifth place. The French finished directly behind the leading duo in third, fourth and second place. The Danes secured the third win of the day with a flawless performance in race three. The Italian Rockwool SailGP in Taranto ends on Sunday with two more fleet races and the triple final of the best three teams after a total of five races.
