More hurdles for USA at France SailGP

Just 21 days after fracturing his leg at the ROCKWOOL Denmark Sail Grand Prix, United States SailGP Team Wing Trimmer Paul Campbell-James hopes to be competing with the team at the France Sail Grand Prix on September 11-12.

The team released a time-lapse video tracking Campbell-James’ recovery that included surgery and an aggressive rehabilitation program in the past three weeks. The medical team plans to evaluate Campbell-James on September 10.

The team has also flown in Interim-Wing Trimmer Jason Saunders, who replaced Campbell-James in Denmark, in a backup capacity should Campbell-James not be cleared.

Campbell-James’ expedited recovery process was coordinated by orthopedic specialists in the United Kingdom who advised him on the best course of treatment after a thorough analysis of the injury that included MRIs and multiple consults.

“The determination and resolve Paul’s shown these past few weeks to recover has been incredible and is a real motivator for our team,” said U.S. SailGP Team Driver Jimmy Spithill.

“So far this season, our team has faced more adversity than any other team in the championship but we continue to fight back and climb the standings. We’ll certainly wait to see what we learn from Paul’s evaluation and will plan accordingly how we approach racing this weekend.”

Regardless, more changes are planned for the U.S. SailGP Team as Taylor Canfield will temporarily substitute for Pilot Rome Kirby, who is absent due to standing personal commitments.

Despite the misfortune that has plagued the American team throughout the course of the season – including an unsolicited collision and resulting capsize in Bermuda and an underwater collision in Italy – the team lies in fourth overall among the eight teams.

The France Sail Grand Prix Saint-Tropez will air live on September 11-12 at 7:30am EDT on SailGP’s YouTube channel and the SailGP APP. Delayed full broadcast coverage of both days will air September 12 on CBS Sports at 5:30pm EDT (Race Day 1) and 10:00pm EDT (Race Day 2).

SailGP information – France details – Facebook

How to watch – Results – Noticeboard

SailGP Season Championship (after 4 events)
1. Australia, 32 pts
2. Great Britain, 30 pts
3. Japan, 28 pts
4. United States, 26 pts
5. France, 24 pts
6. New Zealand, 23 pts
7. Spain, 23 pts
8. Denmark, 22 pts

Format for SailGP events:
• Teams compete in identical F50 catamarans.
• Each event runs across two days.
• There are three races on each day, totaling six races at each event.
• The opening five fleet races involve every team.
• The final match race pits the three highest ranking teams against each other to be crowned event champion.
• The season ends with the Grand Final, which includes the Championship Final Race – a winner-takes-all match race for the $1m prize.

SailGP Season 2 Schedule*
April 24-25, 2021 – Bermuda Grand Prix
June 5-6, 2021 – Italy Grand Prix – Taranto
July 17-18, 2021 – Great Britain Grand Prix – Plymouth
August 20-21, 2021 – ROCKWOOL Denmark Grand Prix – Aarhus
September 11-12, 2021 – France Grand Prix – Saint-Tropez
October 9-10, 2021 – Spain Grand Prix – Andalusia
December 17-18, 2021 – Australia Grand Prix – Sydney
January 29-30, 2022 – New Zealand Grand Prix – Christchurch (CANCELLED)
March 26-27, 2022 – United States Grand Prix – San Francisco (Season 2 Grand Final)
*Subject to change

2021-22 Teams, Helm
Australia, Tom Slingsby
Denmark, Nicolai Sehested
France, Billy Besson
Great Britain, Ben Ainslie (alternate – Paul Goodison)
Japan, Nathan Outteridge
New Zealand, Peter Burling (alternate – Arnaud Psarofaghis)
Spain, Jordi Xammar (alternate – Phil Robertson)
United States, Jimmy Spithill

Established in 2018, SailGP seeks to be an annual, global sports league featuring fan-centric inshore racing in some of the iconic harbors around the globe. Rival national teams compete in identical F50 catamarans with the season culminating with a $1 million winner-takes-all match race.

Source: SailGP