ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix - Canada's NorthStar SailGP Team recap
by NorthStar SailGP Team 19 Jan 21:21 AEDT
Canada NorthStar SailGP Team helmed by Giles Scott hit a wave during a practice session ahead of the Rolex SailGP Championship ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Auckland, New Zealand © Bob Martin for SailGP
The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix got under way yesterday in Auckland. It was stadium racing at is best with over 25,000 spectators in the sold out grandstands, rivaling only Halifax for fan attendance.
Gusty conditions and the 24m wings, meant that it was all on for the 11 national teams as they lined up in four fleet races on the Waitemata Harbor. Canada's NorthStar SailGP Team finished the day in 8th overall, having placed 9th, 3rd, 7th and 6th respectively.
With three fleet races scheduled for Super Sunday and gusts up to 35 km/hr, the teams were ready to put the new, high-speed titanium T-Foils to the test.
Just ahead of the start of race 5, flight controller Billy Gooderham sustained an injury onboard during a maneuver. Billy was taken off the F50 for assessment by the medics and is currently completing a round of x-rays at the hospital.
The NorthStar SailGP Team did not compete in today's racing, yet placed 10th overall, one point ahead of the U.S. SailGP Team.
"We had four solid days of practice here in Auckland and the team is coming together well. Obviously, this is not the result that we had hoped for in our second event, but the well-being of our team members is our top priority. Billy took a big wall of water on that touch down, but he is in good spirits and we are optimistic that he will make a full recovery," said Phil Kennard, CEO and Team Principal.
From New Zealand, the fleet heads the next event of the Rolex SailGP Championship in Sydney, the Australia Sail Grand Prix on 8-9 February.