Hard reset: U.S. SailGP Team looks to correct its Season 3 trajectory in Plymouth
by Laura Muma 29 Jul 20:26 BST
July 30-31, 2022
USA SailGP Team helmed by Jimmy Spithill in action during a practice session ahead of the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Plymouth © Bob Martin for SailGP
"It's turnaround time" for the United States SailGP Team according to CEO and Driver Jimmy Spithill, who is eager for this weekend's racing to begin at the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Plymouth.
Coming into the third event of Season 3, Spithill admits it feels a bit like Season 2 déjà vu. At this time last year, the American team sat in the lower half of the overall rankings. But as Spithill points out, the team turned that start into the comeback story of the season, fighting its way back into contention and earning a spot in the Season 2 Grand Final.
This weekend in Plymouth, he and the team are focused on resetting the Season 3 trajectory. "The beauty of this competition is that we've been able to look candidly through all the data and all the footage," Spithill said.
Following the T-Mobile United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier last month, they took a deep dive into the data from the Oracle Cloud, discovering a setting on the team's F50 software had significantly impacted their maneuverability during day one of racing.
However as Spithill pointed out, "We also didn't get off the starting line well. A lot of the errors were our own making."
This weekend's wind conditions look to be similar to the breezy Saturday in Chicago, and the team's strategy is to focus on the here and now. "Right now we are focused on today's practice racing," Spithill said. "Overall, we want to get out there and take it race by race; just trying to put together a clean, consistent performance this weekend."
U.S. fans can watch this weekend's racing live on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9 a.m. EDT via SailGP's YouTube channel, with delayed coverage on CBS Sports: Saturday at 3 p.m. EDT, and Sunday at 6 p.m. EDT.
ABOUT SAILGP // SailGP races for a better future, championing a world powered by nature. The sport's pinnacle league, SailGP features rival national teams battling in short, intense races at iconic stadium-style venues across the globe, building to the grand final - and sailing's top prize of US$1 million. The high-tech, high-speed action features sailing's best athletes racing in identical supercharged F50 catamarans, flying at electrifying speeds exceeding 60 mph/100 kph. Visit SailGP.com for more information.
ABOUT THE UNITED STATES SAILGP TEAM: // The United States SailGP Team is the American entry into SailGP, composed of some of the world's most talented professional sailors, racing the groundbreaking F50 catamaran — which is completely Powered by Nature™ — for the chance to win $1 million. Led by champion Jimmy Spithill, the team uses cutting-edge technology, intensive physical ability, and extreme skill and mental athleticism to deliver exciting racing as they represent the USA in the global championship. For more information on the team and athletes, visit SailGP.com.