U.S. SailGP Team finish fifth in France Sail Grand Prix
by Laura Muma 10 Sep 2023 11:38 PDT
September 9-10, 2023
Close racing between Canada SailGP Team helmed by Phil Robertson and USA SailGP Team helmed by Jimmy Spithill on Race Day 2 of the France Sail Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez © Felix Diemer for SailGP
While racing today fell short for the United States SailGP Team at the France Sail Grand Prix, there is positive momentum from which to build: two top-three finishes and a top-half overall finish, which moved the American squad up to sixth place in the Season 4 championship standings.
U.S. SailGP Team Driver and CEO Jimmy Spithill acknowledged today's disappointment. "Definitely a tough day, coming into it one point off the lead and then missing out on the final, but we were unable to capitalize in races four and five," said Spithill.
"First one today we just sailed a bad race, and in the second race we picked a side of the course that didn't pay off; a real shame because we were in great shape," he said. "Still, it's a good overall result for the team, and most importantly we continue to move up the leaderboard. Plenty of things to work on for Taranto."
Emirates Great Britain claimed the top prize in Saint-Tropez, with a tight battle between overall Season 4 leaders Australia, and Spain SailGP Team finishing in third place.
In two weeks SailGP returns to Taranto, Italy, after a two-year absence from the global championship for the ROCKWOOL Italy Sail Grand Prix, September 23- 24. In 2021, the U.S. SailGP Team nearly won the event but on the penultimate leg of the final race their F50 collided with a submerged object, robbing the team of victory.
Watch again
In case U.S. fans missed this morning's live broadcast, check out CBS Sports on tape delay later today, Sunday, Sept. 10 at 5:30 p.m. EDT.
France Sail Grand Prix Saint-Tropez final standings:
1. Emirates GBR - 10 points
2. Australia - 9 points
3. Spain - 8 points
4. ROCKWOOL Denmark - 7 points
5. United States - 6 points
6. France - 5 points
7. Germany - 4 points
8. New Zealand - 3 points*
9. Switzerland - 2 points
10. Canada -3 points*
*Canada penalized eight points for contact with Spain on day one
*New Zealand did not race on day two after sustaining damage to its wing after day one
SailGP Season 4 Championship standings: (after three events)
1. Australia - 26 points
2. Spain - 24 points
3. ROCKWOOL Denmark - 23 points
4. Emirates GBR - 19 points
5. New Zealand - 17 points
6. United States - 14 points
7. France - 13 points
8. Canada - 12 points*
9. Switzerland - 7 points
10. Germany // 4 points**
*Canada SailGP Team docked four points in Season Championship for eight-point penalty at France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez
**Germany SailGP Team docked two points in Season Championship for four-point penalty at Oracle Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix