U.S. SailGP Team at Marseille SailGP Season 1 Grand Final - Day 2
by Laura Muma 21 Sep 15:48 PDT
20-22 September 2019
Marseille SailGP Race © Ian Roman for SailGP
On a day that saw three different teams score wins in three races, the United States SailGP Team was left wanting as a weather system on Marseille's Race Nord race course served up unpredictable conditions on the penultimate day of the SailGP Season One Grand Final.
Helmsman Rome Kirby said, "The tough conditions were a huge factor in how the standings changed today but we also need to sail better. To be on the podium coming into this event and now to be in fifth is very disappointing for us."
Kirby and the team along with coaches and data analysts at the U.S. SailGP Team base were already watching replays of the day's racing from the real-time data powered by Oracle.
Using hundreds of sensors aboard the F50 that generate nearly 1,200 data points to review, the team is keen to keep learning, "We'll definitely be looking closer at what we can do better."
A contributing factor to the day's results was the fact that an expected "big-wind" forecast never materialized, and the lighter breezes produced large shifts and holes across the racecourse. "The conditions caused plenty of course changes and adjustments. I think you saw that affect the last race," said Kirby.
In that last race, the American team hit the starting line with pace to round the reach mark in first. However, the wind lessened significantly halfway through the race resulting in a virtual restart amongst the teams.
"There were highlights for us today. Winning the start of the last race and getting a good first gybe was a goal of ours, as was improving our communication onboard." said Kirby. "Today is a day for us to look back at and improve on."
During the team debrief, the team will be utilizing the data captured from onboard the American F50 and the five other boats, to review data such as boat speed, foil angles, wing twist and more.
"We are a young team and learning with every race," said Kirby. "There's a lot to take away from today and we'll come out firing tomorrow."