AS TEAM FINISH THIRD

The Great Britain SailGP Team finished in third place overall at the Dubai Sail Grand Prix this weekend.

After a strong performance on the first day of racing, GBR had a 5-point lead over the fleet heading into the final day. A 2,3 score line in the first two races of the day saw the team qualify for the three boat final with a race to spare.

Dubai put on perfect conditions for the final day, with no other team guaranteed a place in the final three boat race off. In the end Australia and France joined the British team for the final race off.

Australia was over the line early and France got the jump on GBR. What could have been a procession turned into one of the most exciting finals of the season. France’s 250m lead turned swiftly into a Great British team lead heading into the final turning mark, with Australia just metres behind. What looked like a great GBR comeback suddenly changed when the team didn’t pull off the final jibe, fell off the foils leaving AUS to take the win, FRA second and GBR third.

Great Britain SailGP Team CEO Ben Ainslie said: “It’s a tough one to face after a weekend of brilliant sailing and overall, I’m really proud of the team, we worked hard in the range of conditions. Hats off to the Aussies who kept the pressure on and made that final jibe to take the win. It’s good motivation for us to come back stronger in Singapore.

“It was a fantastic day of racing, one of the best I’ve ever been involved in. We’re whipping these boats around just 20-30 meters away from the shoreline – it’s a real box-office showcase for the fans here in Dubai.”

The Great Britain SailGP Team, remain 4th in the overall SailGP Championship table and will return to action at a new event destination for the Singapore Sail Grand Prix 14/15th January where they hope to make it back into that final and bring home the win.