SailGP UK drama as Australian crew cop penalty and series lead chances, results and news
Aussie skipper Tom Slingsby has blamed a controversial penalty that left him “baffled’’ for missing the final of SailGP UK - and missing the chance to take the overall lead in the series.
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It was a wet, wild and controversial day for the Australian crew at the SailGP UK regatta with multiple world sailor of the year Tom Slingsby left baffled by a penalty he claims cost the Aussies a spot in the final - and potentially the lead in the world sailing series.
Slingsby was outspoken about the controversial on water call which he continued to query after leaving the water.
“I have seen the footage and I am still shocked as to how we got the penalty,’’ he said of the four boat incident with Canada, Denmark and Great Britain where the Aussies were deemed the outside boat failing to give way to the Canadian team.
Forced to duck behind their rivals the most of momentum proved costly and deprived the Aussies of the place required to make the three boat final.
“GBR didn’t even attempt to gybe and if they did we would have had to avoid and keep clear of them, but I am still baffled by the decision. That cost us the final,” he said.
New Zealand won the UK event on the Solent from Great Britain and Switzerland.
Slingsby and his team were fourth and remain in second place overall on the series ladder.
New Zealand’s win pushed them to the top of the leaders board with five events to go.
SAILGP UK DAY ONE WRAP
Slingsby and his Australian team copped a penalty on an action packed opening day of racing at SailGP UK but the French couldn’t even make it to the start after extraordinary and very costly damage to their giant wing sail.
While Slingsby’s day got better with a race win following their penalty for a boundary infringement, the same could not be said for French skipper Quentin Delapierre and his crew.
They watched in horror as their wing sail snapped in half pre racing and then watched the rest of the days action from the sidelines in a major blow to their series points.
The sail broke for no apparent reason in light wind in a section of the giant 24m wing sail.
“We saved face in that last race. The first three races - it felt like you needed a sword and shield out there,’’ Slingsby said.
The hosts impressed on the Solent for the UK team to take the overall lead into the final day of qualifying racing and the three-boat final.
Switzerland are second with Australia and New Zealand on equal points in third.
“The more extreme the conditions usually the better we feel, but to be honest we felt a bit loose at times there today, so we have a few things we need to tidy up and improve on, but we’ll come back firing tomorrow.”
Read more from AMANDA LULHAM HERE
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Originally published as SailGP UK drama as Australian crew cop penalty and series lead chances, results and news
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