New Zealand won the SailGB in a dramatic final

Team New Zealand, captained by Peter Burling, cruised to a sensational victory in an ever-thrilling final of the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas. Held on December 10, 2023, the event was one of the most competitive finals in SailGP history. The race was decided in the final moments of a breathtaking race, with a constantly changing leadership position and eventual photo finish.

With victory in Dubai, Peter Burling ended a challenging season as the team bounced back from an incident earlier in the season.

Dramatic moments are the final attribute of SailGP

The final was characterized by dramatic moments as the Canadian team, led by Bill Robertson, initially seemed on course for victory. However, substitute Jimmy Spittle's penalty for blocking Australia brought an unexpected twist.

Despite crossing the line first, New Zealand took the win in the final seconds. It provided a wonderful end to a drama-filled day on the water by Mina Rashid.

Expulsion from the British team after aggressive action

Another notable event was the withdrawal of the British team led by Ben Ainslie at a critical stage of the race. The divestment follows an aggressive move by new helmsman Taylor Canfield of the American SailGP team.

The French team, led by Quentin Delabier, unexpectedly missed out on the final due to Spithill's tactical maneuvering. The choice of a 29 meter wing, a first in competition, also affected the dynamics of the races, presenting teams with additional challenges in light wind conditions.

The end of an era in Jimmy Spithill

For Jimmy Spithill, the race marked the end of his career as a SailGP athlete back in his native Australia.

Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix Finals

1. New Zealand 10 points
2. Australia 9 points
3. Canada 8 points
4. France 7 points
5. Emirates GPR 6 points
6. ROCKWOOL Denmark 5 points
7. Switzerland 4 points
8. USA 3 points
9. Germany 2 points 1
10. Spain 1 point

SAILGP Season 4 Standings (After Six Events)

1. Australia 52 points
2. ROCKWOOL Denmark 41 points
3. New Zealand 40 points
4. Emirates GPR 38 points
5. USA 35 points
6. Spain 33 points
7. Canada 32 points
8. France 31 points
9. Switzerland 15 points
10. Germany 10 points

About the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix

The Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix is ​​part of the SailGP competition, one of the most exciting and dynamic sailing competitions in the world. Teams from different countries compete in identical, hydrofiling F50 catamarans, which can reach speeds of almost 100 km/h. The competition is known for its short, intense races in stadium-like environments at iconic venues around the world. In addition to the sporting challenge, SailGP also emphasizes its commitment to promoting a more sustainable future and cleaner energy.