United States SailGP Team scores first win at New York SailGP
by Laura Muma 22 Jun 22:53 PDT
United States SailGP Team at New York SailGP © Drew Malcolm for SailGP
The United States SailGP Team brought home its first win of the season today in dramatic fashion at New York SailGP in front of thousands of cheering American fans, positioned now only one point out of third place overall on the SailGP Championship Series leaderboard.
"It feels great to bring home a win and today we gave the crowd something to cheer about," said Rome Kirby, U.S. SailGP Team helmsman. "It was definitely a tough weekend, but so great to finish on a high note."
The youngest team in SailGP, the U.S. SailGP Team proved it not only responds to adversity, the guys feed off of it. Just minutes before yesterday's racing, Wing Trimmer Riley Gibbs injured his back and Shore Manager Jeff Causey filled the position - despite having never sailed aboard the F50 - to secure valuable Series points.
The team immediately contacted Wing Trimmer Coach Tom Johnson, who jumped on the first flight out of Europe to land at 1 p.m. today just two hours before 'Lady Liberty', the team's patriotic F50, launched into the Hudson River to race in day two.
"The boys were pretty fired up to go racing today. I'm so proud of our group," said Kirby. "Everyone battled really hard this weekend and we came out with a podium finish, and our first race win, and it feels really good."
With New York SailGP positioned at the critical halfway point in the inaugural SailGP Championship series, the U.S. SailGP Team is now only one point out of third place overall, behind the Great Britain SailGP Team.
Looking ahead, Kirby believes there are only good things ahead for the team. "To win a race is awesome, but our goal is to win events. It's great to get on the podium this weekend."
The U.S. SailGP Team of Kirby, Gibbs, Johnson, Taylor Canfield, Hans Henken, and Dan Morris are looking toward the next event August 10-11 at Cowes SailGP to overtake the Brits and continue grinding down the current leaders, Australia SailGP Team and Japan SailGP Team.
For more information, visit SailGP.com.