Please select your home edition
Edition
Nov Dec 24 Jan feb 25

US SailGP team skipper hits out at decision to keep two teams off the water

by Laura Muma / US SailGP team 3 Jun 05:06 BST June 1-2, 2024
USA SailGP Team helmed by Taylor Canfield in action during a practice session ahead ahead of the Rockwool SailGP Canada - Halifax - May 2024 © Simon Bruty/SailGP

Due to a delay in operations after morning high winds, SailGP did not complete craning operations in time to put all 10 boats in the water, resulting in no racing for the United States SailGP Team and Switzerland SailGP Team on Day 2 of the Rockwool Canada Sail Grand Prix in Halifax.

According to the official SailGP league statement, “While every effort has been made to have all 10 teams on the start line, in these challenging circumstances, SailGP has made the difficult decision to prioritize teams in order of event standings following the first day of racing.”

U.S. SailGP Team CEO Mike Buckley disagreed with the process.

“We are incredibly frustrated by the whole situation,” said Buckley. “Safety of course is a top priority and while the earlier crane-in delay was warranted due to the windy conditions, I take issue with the league’s decision on craning order and deciding to race without all 10 teams which to my knowledge is unprecedented. Eight of 10 teams were able to be launched. The U.S. and Swiss – two privately owned teams – should not have been penalized.”

“We didn't come here to watch the racing in our team base; we came here to race,” Buckley continued. “Right now, our learning curve is massively steep and every minute on the water is huge for us. We will regroup and be ready to go in a few weeks in NYC.”

Halifax delivered some of the most exciting racing to date in SailGP. The gusty winds produced many near misses and even the Australia SailGP Team capsized [all athletes safe; boat damaged being assessed.]. In the three boat final, Emirates GBR Team emerged victorious, followed by France and Denmark.

SailGP turns next to the U.S. leg of the tour, with the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix up next June 22-23; followed by the season finale in San Francisco July 13-14.

About the US SailGP team: Energized by prestigious new owners and investors across U.S. professional sports, entertainment and technology, the U.S. SailGP Team is led by co-owners Ryan and Margaret McKillen, and Mike Buckley as CEO. Seven-time world champion Taylor Canfield is the driver, and the U.S. squad has an All-American roster of talented athletes.

Related Articles

US SailGP Team keen to get racing
After a regatta ending capsize in Bermuda, the US team are ready to bounce back in Halifax Returning to competition for the first time since crashing in Bermuda, Taylor Canfield and team are fired up to kick off to the North American leg of the SailGP Season 4 tour, the Rockwool Canada Sail Grand Prix in Halifax. Posted on 1 Jun
SailGP: Spectacular on board video of USA capsize
USA SailGP team has released spectacular on-board video coverage of their capsize in Bermuda USA SailGP team has released spectacular on-board video coverage of their capsize in Bermuda in Friday's third Practice session. Surprisingly given the violence of the capsize, none of the crew were injured. Posted on 4 May
U.S. debut in Dubai
Team takes podium position in the final fleet race "It's so energizing to finish our first event as a team with a third place in that final race," said Taylor Canfield, driver for the United States SailGP Team at the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas. Posted on 10 Dec 2023
United States SailGP Team's revamped line-up
First active athlete roster announced ahead of Dubai The revamped United States SailGP Team has announced its active athlete roster for the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas on Dec. 9 - 10. Posted on 7 Dec 2023
Cádiz victory catapults U.S. SailGP Team to third
Team dedicates the win to injured teammate Hans Henken Sailing with purpose this weekend at the Spain Sail Grand Prix, Jimmy Spithill led the United States SailGP Team to its first victory in over a year, dedicating the win to injured teammate Hans Henken. Posted on 15 Oct 2023
Spithill takes positives from new crew combo
As the US SailGP team go into Season 4 After a luck-lustre performance for much of the latter part of Season 3, US SailGP team skipper Jimmy Spithill, has taken some positives from the team's performance in the final series, and a third place in the final race with a new crew combination. Posted on 8 May 2023
SailGP's Grand Final weekend is here!
The final event of Season 3 takes place on iconic San Francisco Bay SailGP's 11th and final event of Season 3 takes place on iconic San Francisco Bay this weekend, May 6 - 7, at the Mubadala SailGP Season 3 Grand Final. Posted on 5 May 2023
Season 3 rollercoaster ride continues
An up-and-down event for the United States SailGP Team Rounding out an up-and-down event on a high note, Jimmy Spithill's United States SailGP Team finished the final fleet race in second place, but ultimately leave the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch with sixth-place overall. Posted on 19 Mar 2023
Spithill looks ahead to New Zealand
"We're still in the hunt for the Grand Final" Jimmy Spithill said the team is still in the hunt for a coveted place in the three-boat, winner-takes-all Season 3 Grand Final coming to San Francisco in early May, insisting, 'There are still a lot of points available'. Posted on 17 Mar 2023
'Morale is high, but there is work to be done'
Spithill speaks about aftermath in Sydney "It was all-hands on deck... but ultimately Mother Nature won," said United States SailGP Team CEO and Driver Jimmy Spithill speaking about the major weather event that rolled through the SailGP Technical Base. Posted on 19 Feb 2023