New Zealand punished for false start
New Zealand team reached another SailGP final but could not make it a hat-trick of wins on the Sydney Harbour.
The Kiwi boat Amokura, led by interim driver Nathan Outteridge, finished third in yesterday’s final when competition leaders Australia won an event for the first time in the season.
It was a huge relief for Australia skipper Tom Slingsby to triumph at home in Sydney in the battle of the high-speed F50 catamarans, delighting the home crowd nearby around the city and on Shark Island.
The defending champion Aussies, the winners in SailGP’s first three editions, held off a fierce test from a Danish crew chasing their first final success.
The Kiwi crew were battling the lower winds of about 20kph and failed to recover after falling behind because of a false start.
Still, they remain well positioned in the overall standings after winning the previous two regattas in the Middle East and host the next event in Christchurch on March 23-24.
In the glorious setting of sunny Sydney Harbour, the stage was set between two experienced Australian skippers, Danish driver Nicolai Sehested, and smoother sailing without the hustle of the rest of the fleet and lower winds after Saturday’s tough gusts.
For one week only, Outteridge was steering the Kiwi boat in Peter Burling’s absence (paternity leave) and facing an old Aussie mate on familiar waters. They could not have started worse.
The Aussie and Kiwi boats were both penalised for starting too early, allowing Denmark a simple path to the front.
Slingsby swung Australia back into contention, leaving New Zealand in third, and the lead was exchanged before the hosts pulled away down the final stretch.
With New Zealand starting the final racing day in third, Australia and Denmark were the joint leaders after a blustery Saturday.
Winds were lighter on a scorching Sydney afternoon and New Zealand were steadily among the leading boats throughout yesterday’s opening race.
Season newcomers Germany secured a first race victory in SailGP history, despite New Zealand asking for a protest because of the German boat’s tight manoeuvre around the final mark.
Australia’s win extends their lead on top of the standings to 10 points. New Zealand remain second.