SailGP: Carnage and a new speed record as Australia lead after Day 1 in Sassnitz, Germany
by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/nz 16 Aug 09:42 PDT
USA leads off the start, from France Great Britain and Germany - Race Day 1 - SailGP Germany Sussnitz - August 16, 2025 © Jason Ludlow/SailGP
Australia tops the leader board with an massive 8pt advantage after a frentic day of racing in inaugrual SailGP Germany, sailed at Sassnitz.
Five boats are are in serious contention to contest the top three places to qualify for the Final on Subday
The day was marred with another boat being destroyed after a racing incident, and a new SailGP speed record was broken.
A expected winds were fresh with and 18-23kts breeze and flat water - odeal for speed record breaking.
The home team German took the Race 1 after coming through from second in the final stages to record a win - to the delight of the home crowd.
Race 2 was won by the Dylan Fletcher skippered Emirates GBR. Australia (Tom Slingsby) was penalisied at the start, but made a nice comback to sail through the fleet to finish third.
Race 3 after a good start by Denmark, Spain (Diego Botin) and Australia (Tom Slingsby) battled throughout, with Australia winning the race for their second good position in the day to move to the top of the leaderboard. Denmark set a new speed record in racing of 56.11 kts set duting the bear away around Mark1
Race 4 New Zealand's Black Foils pulled through for their only win of the day, after winning the start and then battling with Australia around the course. The race was marred by a second serious for the weekend aftter contact between USA and GBR, which left the USA team without their port bow. and a hole punched in the British boat. USA has been penalised.
Racing resumes Sunday at 0130hrs UTC.