In light winds off Navy Pier, New Zealand best mastered tough conditions in front of packed shorelines to win the season-opening Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix in Chicago.
Peter Burling led his team to victory over Tom Slingsby’s Australia and Phil Robertson’s Canada in the first three-boat event final of Season 4.
It was a day to remember for last season’s two bottom-placed finishers, as Diego Botin’s Spain and Sebastien Schneiter’s Switzerland won the day’s two fleet races. But the victories weren’t enough to get them into the final, which saw very light conditions – with the F50s in the 29-meter wing configuration – and a win for the Kiwis.
Rockwool Denmark SailGP Team opened the season with a solid fourth-place finish, one spot ahead of Botin’s Spain. France, Emirates GBR and Switzerland occupied positions six through eight, while newcomers Germany found it tough going in the conditions to finish tenth.
Sailgp Season 4 Championship Standings (after one event)
1. New Zealand - 10 points
2. Australia - 9 points
3. Canada - 8 points
4. Denmark - 7 points
5. Spain - 6 points
6. France - 5 points
7. Emirates GBR - 4 points
8. Switzerland - 3 points
9. United States - 2 points
