Japan, followed by Australia

May 30, 20193min read

February 15, 2019

Japan, followed by Australia
Today, on February 15, three races of the first stage of the new international sailing league – SailGP – took place in Sydney Bay.

Recall (although we wrote in detail about this the day before) that the initiators of the creation of SailGP are one of the richest people in the world, owner of Oracle Team USA Larry Ellison and five-time winner of the America's Cup, Russell Cutts. An important detail: World Sailing not only declared its full support for the new league, but also included it in the list of the most important sailing competitions in the world.

The races are held on the fastest ships of the world sail – 50-foot winged catamarans of the F50 class, which were specially designed for SailGP and, according to the developers' assurances, are capable of speeding over 50 knots.

On the first day, however, it remained only to dream of such speeds: in the starting race the wind was moderate, in the other two – fresh, but no more.

On the sum of three races ahead, the team representing Japan (there are 6 teams in total). There is no sensation in this. Three crew members out of five – famous Australian racers. Nathan Outerridge, helmsman – 2012 Olympic champion in 49er class, winner of 19 medals at world championships in different classes, skipper Artemis Racing in two America Cup competitions. In addition, Autteridge was directly involved in the development and testing of F50 fireballs, so he has much more experience managing this catamaran than his other helmsmen.

Trimmer Ian Jensen is also the 2012 Olympic champion and multiple world champion in the 49er class (along with teAutteridge). Tactician Luke Parkinson is the bronze medalist of the world championships in the 470 class, and he, like Outteridge and Parkinson, participated in the America's Cup as part of the Artemis Racing team. As for the grinders – Yugo Yoshida and Yuki Kasatani – they have fewer regalia, of course, but they also played in the America's Cup – as part of the Japanese team. That, you see, says a lot.

It's time to announce that the winner gets 10 points for winning the race, the second place winner is 9, and so on. Accordingly, the one who came last, the sixth, gets 5 points. So, on the basis of Friday at Japan Team SailGP, one victory and two second places, 28 points, is an excellent result! The second position of the owners is the Australian team, 27 points (two wins and fifth place).

Now it's time to explain why you need glasses. Tomorrow, on Saturday, February 16, three more races will be held, and then the final one, in which only two teams will take part – the first and second places in terms of points. Who will win this match flight, he will be the winner of the stage.

Race number 1
1. Japan (steering Nathan Autteridge) – 10 points; 2. China (Phil Robertson) – 9 points. 3. Great Britain (Daylan Fletcher) – 8 points; 4. USA (Rome Kirby) – 7 points; 5. Australia (Tom Slingsby) – 6 points; 6. France (Billy Besson) – 5.

Race number 2
1.Australia – 10 points; 2. Japan – 9; 3. United States – 8; 4. Great Britain – 7; 5. France – 6; 6. China – 5.

Race number 3
1. Australia – 10 points; 2. Japan – 9; 3. France – 8; 4. Great Britain – 7; 5. United States – 6; 6. China – 5.

Results of the first day (the sum of three races)
1. Japan – 28 points; 2. Australia – 27; 3. Great Britain – 22; 4. United States – 20; 5. France – 19; 6. China – 19.

240 February 15, 2019 # 8796

Chief Editor