The SailGP teams obviously tested their limits during their training week before the season finale off San Francisco this weekend. In some cases, they even went beyond them. Several capsizes were a reminder of just how dangerous catamaran racing is, even at world-class level. So far, the capsizes have been minor for the athletes: The sailors remained uninjured, but caused themselves and the shore crew some work before the first starting signal on Saturday at 10 pm German time. In San Francisco in particular, such capsizes always bring back sad memories of the fatal accident involving the America's Cup team Artemis. British Olympic champion Andrew "Bart" Simpson lost his life when the Swedish Cup yacht capsized in 2013.
Capsizes are not uncommon in the SailGP. Despite all safety measures, they remain risky. In this training week, the American F50 catamaran in the hands of helmsman Jimmy Spithill first got out of control. Now the crew of championship leader and top favourite Tom Slingsby also went down. The Laser Olympic champion, America's Cup winner, Moth World Champion and World Sailor of the Year commented on the incident briefly and soberly: "It was a tough day at the office today with a huge capsize. Fortunately, everyone on board is safe. Unfortunately, we caused a lot of work, which now has to be done before the start. Thanks to the safety team and the technicians for their support!"
"Maybe the ice-cream man isn't as cool as he says?"
Eight teams will be battling it out this weekend at the season finale between Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz under the motto "The winner takes it all" for one million US dollars in prize money for the winner! The Australians, who are leading after seven of the eight regattas in the second SailGP season, and their American rivals have already secured their place in the final. The chasers are still battling it out. Team Japan with skipper and helmsman Nathan Outteridge has the best chances going into the races. In addition to the training sessions, the "sabre-rattling" has also begun on land ahead of the decision. Top rivals Tom Slingsby and Jimmy Spithill are not to be outdone in the verbal exchange of blows. Click here for a Clip that shows this in a humorous way (please click!). Slingsby's little tip towards Spithill: "Maybe the ice-cream man isn't as cool as he says?"
The SailGP final will be broadcast live on many channels at the weekend from 10 pm German time. Click here to go to the homepage (please click!).
Phil Robertson leaves the Spaniards in dispute
The SailGP final in the USA has already had its first personnel upset: Phil Robertson, the aggressive New Zealand helmsman of the Spanish SailGP team, has left the team prematurely. Although he had already announced this for the end of the season with a move to the new Canadian team, he has now left with a bang in a dispute. María del Mar de Ros, CEO of the Spanish SailGP team, was not afraid to be clear in a statement: "The thing is: Phil feels that he is superior in some way. And that they(Ed.: the crew) are children. In fact, in an epidode(Red.: Report series "Racing on the Edge") said that he calls them 'a bunch of kids'. If he had felt more connected to the team, the decision might have been a little different."
The Spanish SailGP helm for the Mubadala SailGP United States will be taken over by Spaniard Jordi Xammar before he flies to Mallorca to compete in the new Olympic discipline with Nora Brugmann. The experienced Spaniard is currently regarded as the international benchmark in the double-handed dinghy. He will have to show what he can do at the helm of the F50 this weekend.
