By Miranda Blazeby – SailGP Media
NorthStar Canada has picked up its first event win since Christchurch in Season 3, triumphing over league heavyweights New Zealand and Australia in a tense Los Angeles showdown.
The win was vindication for the Canadians after they narrowly missed out on victory in Sydney last month, and marks Scott’s first win since taking over the driving seat at the beginning of the season.
The three-boat Final was cagey from the off, with all three boats scrapping for the best position in the start box. But it was Peter Burling’s New Zealand – credited with perfect starts all weekend – which won the inside line to Mark 1, leaving NorthStar Canada trailing in its wake.
Tom Slingsby’s Australia meanwhile looked shut out from the beginning, trailing over the line and struggling to stay on the foils.
A crucial moment unfolded at Gate 2, when leaders New Zealand and NorthStar Canada split the course. As the Canadians executed silky smooth boat handling, the Kiwis struggled to execute clean maneuvers and fell off the foils on the third leg of the shortened six leg Final.
The Canadians moved into first while unforced errors by the Kiwis and Aussies handed them a dominating lead. Despite the capricious, light wind conditions and reduced four person crew configuration, the Canadians racked up the highest fly time of the day in the Final – 99%, as well as the highest average speed of the day – 51.07 km/h.
Speaking from the water after the win, Scott paid tribute to his team. “It’s been an amazing effort from the team this weekend – and all season. We had a good one in Sydney and now to come here and win is awesome for the team, I’m so proud of everyone.”
Elsewhere, the Kiwis recorded the highest speed of the day – 68.16 km/h – an incredible feat in such light winds, while Red Bull Italy sailed the shortest distance of 4.71 km.
Heartbreak for Emirates GBR
Qualification for the Final was being decided in the final fleet race of the event, with Australia and Emirates GBR both in contention for the third spot. After winning the fifth fleet race and placing 6th in the sixth, Emirates GBR was gunning for the win in the seventh, winning the start and sprint to Mark 1, while Australia slipped into last place.
It looked all over for the Aussies as the British took another race win. But Tom Slingsby’s squad pulled off an incredible 11th hour move, slingshotting around the outside of the United States at the final turning mark and beating them over the finish line. This meant the Aussies qualified for the Final instead, edging out Emirates GBR by a margin of one point.
The refreshed season standings see Emirates GBR retain the top spot, followed by Australia and New Zealand, with Season 4 champions Spain in fourth. NorthStar Canada meanwhile moves up into 5th overall.
SailGP fans don’t have long to wait for their next high-octane racing installment. Next weekend, the league returns to San Francisco for the highly-anticipated Oracle San Francisco Sail Grand Prix on March 22/23.
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