Like a Phoenix from the Ashes, Emirates GBR Rise to Secure Podium in Sassnitz
by Emirates GBR SailGP Team 17 Aug 19:52 BST
16-17 August 2025
Iain Jensen, wing trimmer of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, and Hannah Mills, strategist - Race Day 2 of the Germany Sail Grand Prix © Felix Diemer for SailGP
The final day of the Germany Sail Grand Prix came after a long night of repairs, as the SailGP Tech Team and the Emirates GBR shore crew worked against the clock to fix the British F50. The boat had suffered a large hole in the port hull after being hit by the USA SailGP Team on Day 1.
The British team made a tentative start in today's opening race, crossing the line in sixth place in light conditions. They were one of the first teams to pop from H1 onto the foils, gaining three places on the reach to Mark 1. At the first downwind gate, GBR took the right-hand mark and moved into the lead.
At the bottom mark, the wind dropped and GBR came off their foils, slipping behind Denmark and Australia. They rounded Mark 4 on the right-hand side alongside Denmark, while Australia split left. The decision paid off as GBR closed the gap, reclaimed the lead, and held firm. Using their right of way on the final approach, they forced Australia and Denmark off their foils and powered through to take the win in Race 5.
GBR nailed the start in Race 6, coming in fast from the back of the pack with perfect time-on-distance to cross the line first and lead to Mark 1. In the shifty conditions, Emirates GBR Wing Trimmer Iain Jensen remarked, "Make hay when the sun shines," as the team split left at the downwind gate to stay in the best breeze. A duel with Australia on the upwind leg followed, but GBR executed their manoeuvre more cleanly, pulling away to open a commanding lead. From there, they controlled the race and stormed home to secure back-to-back wins.
Another strong performance in the final fleet race of the day saw GBR finish second and book their place in the final against Australia and France. The podium final was one not to miss. On a shifty race course, GBR started strongly and established an early lead, but a wind shift allowed Australia and France to capitalise, pushing GBR back into third. Despite a fight to regain ground, there wasn't quite enough runway left, and Emirates GBR finished third overall, their fifth podium finish of the season, leaving them third in the League standings.
Emirates GBR Driver Dylan Fletcher said; "We definitely felt like a phoenix from the flames today. It's been a hectic couple of days, so just being back on the water was unbelievable. A massive thank you and huge appreciation to the SailGP Tech Team and our shore crew for getting the boat fixed and enabling us to race. We wanted to win the event for them, we couldn't quite get it done, but I'm super proud of the team's performance."
Emirates GBR Strategist Hannah Mills said "It feels like we're back to the form we had at the start of the season. We've been working really hard on communication, especially in conditions like this, where it's so hectic with boats coming at you from all angles and pressure everywhere. To get a podium place is super pleasing, but we're also gutted not to have made those two steps higher."
Dylan continued "It's great to be back in the top three again after a strong performance in Portsmouth. It's disappointing not to have won the last two finals, but we just need to keep chipping away and make sure we're in that winner-takes-all final in Abu Dhabi."
SailGP returns to action with the ROCKWOOL France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez on September 12/13.