Trans-Tasman rivals meet at the podium final of the New Zealand Sail Grand Prix but lose to Canada
by Australia SailGP Team 21 Mar 2023 06:00 NZDT
18-19 March 2023
Canada SailGP Team helmed by Phil Robertson, Australia SailGP Team helmed by Tom Slingsby, and New Zealand SailGP Team helmed by Peter Burling in action during the final race on Race Day 2 of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix © Bob Martin for SailGP
Canada has caused a national upset amongst Kiwi fans, taking out the two Tran-Tasman rivals, New Zealand and season leaders Australia, in a nail biting podium final at the New Zealand Sail Grand Prix.
It marks the first win for the young team, which previously lost out in the Finals of Bermuda and Chicago earlier in the season to the Australian Team.
The Aussies dominated the final two final fleet races of the event, showing their winning form and taking first position in both, to secure a seat in the final.
Tom Slingsby had confessed the day prior that the team had "lost their confidence" as of late but he was pleased with their performance on the final race day saying that it felt like "we were the Australian Team of old today."
"Even though we have been sailing well this season we haven't been dominating fleet races so we're really stoked with today's results and feel like we have our mojo back for the Grand Final in San Francisco", Slingsby commented.
A perfect start by all three boats in the final meant everything was to play for as the race got under way, but it was Canada that was first to mark one with the all-important inside track. The Australians followed in second position for most of the race, however minor board technical issues allowed them to be pipped by the Kiwis, with the Aussies ending the race in third place.
Tom Slingsby said: "We were almost able to roll Canada in the first mark there but then they got ahead of us and luffed us. Once they had the lead there weren't many opportunities to overtake them after that."
The nine-strong F50 fleet will meet again for the Season 3 Grand Final in San Francisco on May 6-7, where the season champion will be decided.
The event results mean the Aussies remain comfortable at the top of the overall Season 3 leaderboard with 84 points heading into San Francisco, with New Zealand in second place with 73 points. France remains in third with 69 points despite finishing fifth in Christchurch, but has a slim one-point lead ahead of Emirates Team GBR in fourth.