Record-breaking speeds in Sassnitz
The opening day of the ROCKWOOL Germany Sail Grand Prix in Sassnitz featured six races, five different winners, and a new speed record. The event saw the F50s configured with 18-meter wingsails, high-speed rudders, and boards, battling at speeds exceeding 40 km/h in Baltic breezes. Teams were divided into two groups for the initial races: Group B included Sweden, Canada, the United States, Australia, Germany, and Great Britain, while Group A comprised Spain, Switzerland, New Zealand, France, Denmark, Italy, and Brazil.
DS Automobiles SailGP Team France established a new all-time SailGP speed record, reaching 107.63 km/h in the final race. This surpassed the previous record of 103.93 km/h, which was set by Denmark’s ROCKWOOL Racing at the same location in the previous year. ROCKWOOL Racing also exceeded their own prior mark, achieving 106.79 km/h in the same race before experiencing a high-speed nosedive. Los Gallos of Spain recorded a speed of 106.55 km/h.
Quentin Delapierre, driver for DS Automobiles Team France, described the record-setting moment, noting that he was “definitely on the edge” during the final bear-away. He mentioned focusing on managing the pressure on the foil to maintain speed. The high speeds meant that the first boundary approached quickly.
Race outcomes and team standings
In Group B’s first race, the Bonds Flying Roos led the sprint to mark one. They maintained a lead, ultimately winning the race. Emirates GBR finished second, and Artemis secured third place.
The Black Foils took control at the second gate in Group A’s Sassnitz opener and maintained their lead to finish first. The Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team came in second, followed by Red Bull Italy in third. Peter Burling, driver for the Black Foils, commented on the day’s racing, noting the shifty conditions and rain squalls.
The Australians secured another win in their second race, leading at mark one and extending their advantage. Emirates GBR moved from fifth to second, with Artemis finishing third. Tom Slingsby of the Bonds Flying Roos reflected on the races, stating that the first two felt straightforward, while the last race was a battle within the pack.
DS Automobiles Team France led at mark one in their second Group A race, despite the Black Foils incurring an early boundary penalty. France held the lead at gate three, with the Kiwis closing in, resulting in France finishing first and New Zealand second, while Denmark took third.
In the final fleet race of the day, Germany secured a victory, with Northstar finishing second. Artemis moved from sixth to third at the final mark, achieving their third podium finish in as many races. Erik Kosegarten-Heil, Germany’s driver, expressed satisfaction with the win in front of the home crowd, acknowledging that the team was “back in the game” for the second day of racing.
The day’s final race saw DS Team France break the speed record. ROCKWOOL Racing experienced a nosedive, dropping them from second to seventh. Los Gallos recovered from a boundary penalty to overtake France, claiming the race win and maintaining their hopes for the final.
Looking ahead
The ROCKWOOL Germany Sail Grand Prix is set to continue with remaining qualifying fleet races and a Grand Final. The action is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. local time (CEST). The fleet split for the event was determined by the teams’ finish in the previous event in Portsmouth, using the ABBA formula to balance the groups. Group A has seven teams, while Group B has six. The top two finishers from the qualifier racing will advance to a four-boat final, with no points carried forward.
The season’s end date is a current discussion point for the SailGP League. The final two events are scheduled for Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE in the last two weeks of November. A decision on these venues is expected after the event in Geneva on 21-22 September. If the decision is made late, substitute venues may not be possible, potentially reducing the season to fewer remaining events after this weekend. The Bonds Flying Roos currently hold a 12-point buffer in the season points, while Los Gallos are in second and showing improved form. Artemis (Sweden), the USA, and Great Britain are also experiencing varying form. Leigh McMillan has returned to the crew as Trimmer after an injury in Auckland, with Moth World champion Enzo Balanger moving to the reserve bench. ROCKWOOL Denmark sustained some damage to their F50 during a mid-week practice session, which is expected to be repaired for the weekend’s official practice.
Source: sail-world.com
