Please select your home edition
Edition
Ocean Safety 2023 - New Identity - LEADERBOARD

Financial pressure, US capsize and more in the latest episode of SailGP's Racing on the Edge

by SailGP/Sail-World.com/nz 17 Jun 2024 19:57 BST
The latest episode of SailGP's Racing on the Edge © SailGP

The latest episode of SailGP's Racing on the Edge docuseries, in partnership with Rolex, provides a behind-the-scenes look at the intense nation versus nation rivalries heating up across the global racing league, the uncertainty of the last-remaining league-owned teams, and the final push to the Season 4 Grand Final next month in San Francisco - with $2 million in prize money on the line.

Interesting comments from US team about needing a new wing for after their capsize in Bermuda, and finding out that the spare wing supposed to be with the regatta was not in Bermuda. Of course the irony is that having got a rig for Halifax, they, along with Switzerland and Germany, were not permitted to race in one or two races on the second day.

The episode opens with scenes from the opening press conference for the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix, honing in on the elephant in the room: that four teams - Spain, France, Canada and even frontrunners New Zealand - are all at risk of not being on the startline in Season 5 if they don't secure investment before the November launch. At the same event, Australia's Tom Slingsby confirmed his team's future in the league was secure amid the growing pressure - hinting at a major announcement soon.

When asked about the financial status of his team, Spanish driver Diego Botin said: "We have a group of investors willing to join the team and move forward with us - the team is also working very hard on achieving this financial power."

The episode flashes to official practice racing in Bermuda, where Taylor Canfield's US SailGP Team suffered a dramatic capsize due to a crew error - causing substantial damage to the team's wing, ruling them out of the weekend's racing. Reflecting on the incident, Canfield said: "As soon as I was ripped out of the cockpit, I landed on the wing and broke through it - within two seconds, I was actually being pulled under the water."

Light was shed on the ever-growing rivalry between the Canada and US teams when the Canadians posted on social media poking fun at the US team's mishap.

In an interview, Canfield threw barbs at Canada's Phil Robertson: "I'd say Phil is probably more on the arrogant side to be honest. He always seems to be talking down to people like he's almost above and better than them."

Robertson clapped back saying: "I think the first time I raced against Taylor Canfield was in 2009 and at that moment he was an arrogant little college kid. And the only thing that has changed since is that Taylor is no longer at college."

Mike Buckley, US Team CEO and Strategist had the last word, commenting, "When Phil is good enough to race for his own country [New Zealand], then he can start running his mouth."

On the final day of racing in Bermuda, Botin's Los Gallos were greeted with uncertainty after receiving a penalty at the last race mark of the weekend's fifth and final fleet race - failing to give enough room to Quentin Delapierre's France SailGP Team - landing Spain in fourth.

Luckily for the Spanish, drama followed Robertson onto the water. With the Canadians coming last in the same race, giving Spain just enough of a points advantage to secure their spot in the three- boat final against league frontrunners, Tom Slingsby's Australia and Peter Burling's Black Foils.

Earlier in the episode, it was revealed that Botin had brought a new performance coach into the team - Olympic medalist Hamish Willcox, former coach to league heavyweights Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, among others. Willcox' involvement was reflected in the team's skillfully-maneuvered win in the Final, claiming Bermuda victory - the team's second event win of Season 4.

The episode closes with Spain CEO Tony Alquezar providing a teaser into the group of investors said to be lining up to purchase the team: "I understand that this is business, if they decide they want to sell the franchise to another team and investor - no hard feelings. But let me put it this way - if you think the American athlete investors and Sebastian Vettel behind Germany are important - you will just have to wait and see what we have in store."

With the penultimate stop on the Season 4 calendar unfolding this weekend - the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix (June 22-23) - teams will be doing all they can to fight for a spot in the SailGP Grand Final (July 13-14). Tune into this weekend's action, or catch it in person - with tickets available at SailGP.com/NewYork.

Related Articles

SailGP: Roger Federer inspires Swiss SailGP team.
Roger Federer joins forces with Switzerland SailGP Team to inspire success One of Switzerland's greatest sporting icons, Roger Federer, features in the newest episode of Racing on the Edge, SailGP's official behind-the-scenes docuseries, produced in partnership with Rolex. Posted on 27 Jun
Rolex SailGP Championship 2026 dates confirmed
Including a return to fan-favorite destination, Auckland SailGP has released further details of forthcoming 2026 Season, including the return of fan-favorite locations, multi-year hosting agreements secured across all regions, and an evolved regional structure to raise the stakes for athletes and fans alike. Posted on 26 Jun
SailGP opens tender process for two new teams
SailGP has confirmed 2026 expansion plans, unveiling details of a tender process to seek investment. SailGP has confirmed 2026 expansion plans, unveiling details of a tender process to seek investment for ownership of two new teams entering the global racing championship next season, alongside available stakes across existing national teams. Posted on 23 Jun
Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix overall
Spain SailGP Team claims second consecutive U.S. win Diego Botin and the Spain SailGP team have punched their way to the top of the Rolex SailGP Championship, taking the win on Sunday in New York. Posted on 9 Jun
SailGP: Spain lead in New York - Day 1
Spain top the leaderboard after the first day of racing in the Mubadala New York Grand Prix Spain top the leaderboard after the first day of racing in the Mubadala New York Grand Prix, after a consistent day's sailing on the murky and rainswept Hudson River. Full replay and leaderboard in this story. Posted on 7 Jun
Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix day 1
Spain overcomes storm clouds, topping the standings Diego Botin's Spain SailGP Team leads the fleet after a stormy and tactical opening day of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix. France, ROCKWOOL Denmark and New Zealand are all hot on his heels for all-important leaderboard points. Posted on 7 Jun
SailGP to Kick Off Summer in New York
With this Weekend's Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix An unforgettable weekend of high-speed, close-to-shore racing and world-class entertainment will take place this weekend when the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix takes place in front of the most famous skyline in the world. Posted on 5 Jun
SailGP: Media Conference concludes in New York
Skippers speak ahead of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix The media conference ahead of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix has concluded, without any special points being revealed, save for Brazil lending a crew member to Germany. Posted on 5 Jun
Should SailGP ditch the wings?
As SailGP resumes in New York this weekend, we ask the question As SailGP resumes in New York this weekend, we ask the question of whether the F50's solid wingsails should be ditched and replaced instead with twin-skin mainsails, in a similar way to what is used on the AC75 and AC40 of the America's Cup. Posted on 5 Jun
SailGP Racing on the Edge Season 5 Episode 5
Los Gallos revisit their SailGP Season 4 triumph Get a behind the scenes look at the inner workings of the SailGP Season 4 Champions as they return to winning territory – facing personal and professional challenges head on. Posted on 3 Jun