SailGP: USA struggles continue

Marseille, France (September 21, 2019) – On a day that saw three different teams score wins in three races, the United States SailGP Team was left wanting as a weather system on Marseille’s Race Nord race course served up unpredictable conditions on the penultimate day of the SailGP Season One Grand Final.

“The tough conditions were a huge factor in how the standings changed today but we also need to sail better,” said Helmsman Rome Kirby. “To be on the podium coming into this event and now to be in fifth is very disappointing for us.”

A contributing factor to the day’s results was the fact that an expected “big-wind” forecast never materialized, and the lighter breezes produced large shifts and holes across the racecourse. “The conditions caused plenty of course changes and adjustments. I think you saw that affect the last race,” said Kirby.

In that last race, the American team hit the starting line with pace to round the reach mark in first. However, the wind lessened significantly halfway through the race resulting in a virtual restart amongst the teams.

“Today is a day for us to look back at and improve on,” said Kirby.

The Marseille SailGP Season 1 Grand Final continues tomorrow with two fleet races and the final match race, with Australia and Japan already having secured the top two overall positions. The first two fleet races will only feature the boats that have not qualified for the match racing final, ahead of the showdown between Slingsby and Outteridge.

Day Two Results:
1. Australia, Tom Slingsby, 2-1-2-1-2-2, 56
2. Japan, Nathan Outteridge, 1-4-1-2-3-1, 54
3. China, Phil Robertson, 5-3-5-3-1-4, 45
4. Great Britain, Dylan Fletcher, 3-2-3-6-4-6, 42
5. France, Billy Besson, 4-5-4-4-6-3, 40
6. United States, Rome Kirby, 6-6-6-5-5-5, 33

SailGP Season 1 Overall Leaderboard
1. Australia, Tom Slingsby, 225
2. Japan, Nathan Outteridge, 219
3. China, Phil Robertson, 162
4. Great Britain, Dylan Fletcher, 162
5. United States, Rome Kirby, 155
6. France, Billy Besson, 155

Note: Total points based on SailGP scoring.

SailGP details – Team rosters – Results – Where to watch – Facebook

ABOUT SAILGP:
Established in 2018 and headquartered in London and San Francisco, SailGP seeks to be an annual, global sports league featuring fan-centric, inshore racing in some of the iconic harbors around the globe and culminates with a $1 million winner-takes-all match race. Rival national teams from Australia, China, France, Great Britain, Japan, and the United States battle it out in identical wing-powered, foiling F50 catamarans, engineered to exceed 50 knots.

2019 Schedule
Sydney, Australia (February 15-16)
San Francisco, USA (May 4-5)
New York, USA (June 21-22)
Cowes, UK (August 10-11)
Marseille, France (September 20-22)

Source: United States SailGP