The opening day of the SailGP Sydney race brought captivating competition to Sydney Harbour as Australia showcased their sailing prowess by securing victories in two of the four races on Saturday. Australia ended the first day leading the leaderboard with 37 points, closely followed by Britain with 32 points, and France marking an impressive comeback with 27 points after missing earlier events this season.
Renowned for their strategic advantage in the start box, the Australian team, led by driver Tom Slingsby, executed impeccable starts in races two, three, and four. Slingsby remarked on their starting successes, saying, I don't know what's going on with our starts but it's all gelling. You need a bit of luck and we've had a bit of luck. Little gaps have opened up at the right time. Such tactical proficiency has placed Australia in a strong position going forward.
The day's racing conditions added a layer of complexity, featuring a mix of flat seas and disruptive wind patterns brought on by a storm cell near the Sydney suburbs. These unpredictable wind shifts led to dramatic turns in the competition. Australian strategist Natasha Bryant noted, It was a lot nicer when we got a bit clear. It was a super tight course and there were some crazy angles when it's so shifty.
After missing previous races in Dubai and Auckland due to technical difficulties with their wing sail, the French team made an exceptional comeback. Under the guidance of driver Quentin Delapierre, the team showed resilience and skill, winning the start of the first race and placing highly across the others, securing a commendable third place overall. It was wonderful being back here in Sydney in good conditions, Delapierre shared.
While the French team's return was a highlight, the day held surprises, particularly for New Zealand, a team anticipated to be strong contenders. They faced significant setbacks due to technical issues, culminating in them finishing the day in ninth place.
Sunday promises to deliver more excitement with three additional fleet races, determining which top three teams will advance to the final showdown. Though France's return was the anticipated headline, the United States was notably absent after a pre-race capsize during practice left their boat needing repairs, reducing the competitive fleet back to 11 boats.
The thrilling commencement of races saw Switzerland tactically navigate a wind shift to claim victory in the opening race, followed by Spain and then Australia. Swiss driver Sébastien Schneiter emphasized their strategic simplicity, We're just keeping it simple, keeping it clean and trying to get a good start. Meanwhile, Britain's win in the second race was noted for its intensity, described by British driver Dylan Fletcher as a ding-dong battle with the Australian team. Australia maintained a commanding lead in both the third and fourth races, further solidifying their leading position.
