Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

U.S. SailGP Team sizzles on day 1 in Saint-Tropez

by Laura Muma 11 Sep 2022 06:23 AEST September 10-11, 2022
The F50 catamaran of USA SailGP Team helmed by Jimmy Spithill goes airborne close to Spain SailGP Team helmed by Jordi Xammar and Australia SailGP Team helmed by Tom Slingsby on Race Day 1 of the Range Rover France Sail Grand Prix in Saint Tropez, France © David Gray for SailGP

"We were on the edge all day," said a smiling Jimmy Spithill whose United States SailGP Team sits in second place overall after one of the fastest competition days in SailGP's history at the Range Rover France Sail Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez.

Spithill has repeatedly said consistency is the key to success in the highly-competitive league. With today's second-place and two third-place finishes, it appears the team is cracking the code on a day that saw new records and multiple near capsizes amid the nine-strong fleet.

In today's heavy wind conditions almost the entire fleet blew past Great Britain's previous F50 speed record of 98.26 kph. France now holds the SailGP speed record, hitting 99.9 kph today, while the U.S. was right in the mix with its 98.9 kph (61.5 mph).

Conditions like today test every athlete's physical and mental abilities, in particular the flight controller, which handles the ride height as the F50 lifts above the water. Fly too high and the boat gets 'loose', which can porpoise and violently nose dive; fly too low and it causes drag that creates friction and lower speeds. Spithill gave full credit to Hans Henken today, in just his fifth event at the position.

"Hans did an awesome job today, really impressive and in very difficult conditions," said Spithill.

"Collectively I thought everyone sailed the boat very well. In those conditions, the key is trying to put three clean races together, and man, no doubt we were on the edge all day."

Another team positive today is three strong starts. "We've been studying really hard with Philippe [Presti - U.S. SailGP Coach]. He's really been driving the strategy behind the scenes, and the team - and I - have been open to the ideas to become more consistent."

Looking ahead to the new format of 'Super Sunday,' in which SailGP plans to run three fleet races (previously two), Spithill is looking forward to the additional race to further cement the team's place as one of the three top boats to compete in the final podium race.

With lighter winds forecasted, Sunday's conditions will be a sharp contrast to today, putting a premium on the team's ability to adapt. The F50s will use the standard 24-meter wing (79 feet), compared to today's smaller 18-meter (59 feet) wing.

Sunday's Racing begins at 8:30 a.m. EDT and fans can watch the action unfold live on SailGP's YouTube channel. Later in the day on CBS Sports, Saturday's action will re-air at 4:30 p.m. EDT and the Super Sunday conclusion at 8 p.m. EDT.

Related Articles

US SailGP team skipper "incredibly frustrated"
Hitting out at decision to keep two teams off the water US SailGP team skipper says the team is incredibly frustrated with the decision by event organisers not to launch two teams, both privately owned, excluding them from competing on Day 2. High winds early in the day and a lack of time are blamed. Posted on 3 Jun 2024
US SailGP Team keen to get racing
After a regatta ending capsize in Bermuda, the US team are ready to bounce back in Halifax Returning to competition for the first time since crashing in Bermuda, Taylor Canfield and team are fired up to kick off to the North American leg of the SailGP Season 4 tour, the Rockwool Canada Sail Grand Prix in Halifax. Posted on 1 Jun 2024
SailGP: Spectacular on board video of USA capsize
USA SailGP team has released spectacular on-board video coverage of their capsize in Bermuda USA SailGP team has released spectacular on-board video coverage of their capsize in Bermuda in Friday's third Practice session. Surprisingly given the violence of the capsize, none of the crew were injured. Posted on 4 May 2024
U.S. debut in Dubai
Team takes podium position in the final fleet race "It's so energizing to finish our first event as a team with a third place in that final race," said Taylor Canfield, driver for the United States SailGP Team at the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas. Posted on 10 Dec 2023
United States SailGP Team's revamped line-up
First active athlete roster announced ahead of Dubai The revamped United States SailGP Team has announced its active athlete roster for the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas on Dec. 9 - 10. Posted on 7 Dec 2023
Spithill takes positives from new crew combo
As the US SailGP team go into Season 4 After a luck-lustre performance for much of the latter part of Season 3, US SailGP team skipper Jimmy Spithill, has taken some positives from the team's performance in the final series, and a third place in the final race with a new crew combination. Posted on 8 May 2023
SailGP's Grand Final weekend is here!
The final event of Season 3 takes place on iconic San Francisco Bay SailGP's 11th and final event of Season 3 takes place on iconic San Francisco Bay this weekend, May 6 - 7, at the Mubadala SailGP Season 3 Grand Final. Posted on 5 May 2023
Season 3 rollercoaster ride continues
An up-and-down event for the United States SailGP Team Rounding out an up-and-down event on a high note, Jimmy Spithill's United States SailGP Team finished the final fleet race in second place, but ultimately leave the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch with sixth-place overall. Posted on 19 Mar 2023
Spithill looks ahead to New Zealand
"We're still in the hunt for the Grand Final" Jimmy Spithill said the team is still in the hunt for a coveted place in the three-boat, winner-takes-all Season 3 Grand Final coming to San Francisco in early May, insisting, 'There are still a lot of points available'. Posted on 17 Mar 2023
'Morale is high, but there is work to be done'
Spithill speaks about aftermath in Sydney "It was all-hands on deck... but ultimately Mother Nature won," said United States SailGP Team CEO and Driver Jimmy Spithill speaking about the major weather event that rolled through the SailGP Technical Base. Posted on 19 Feb 2023
Sea Sure 2025Navico AUS Zeus3S FOOTERBoat Books Australia FOOTER