Group B's group stage came to a close in heartbreaking fashion for the host nation. Explorer Swiss led every single mark to win the fifth and final race of the group comfortably, locking up second spot behind an already-qualified Artemis Sweden, while Emirates GBR's home crowd was left stunned as the British boat, level with the leaders and mere millimetres from an overlap at the first mark, fell off the foils avoiding contact and never recovered.
There is a silver lining for New Zealand fans even with the Black Foils out of contention after Group A. Artemis Sweden carry two Kiwis on board in flight controller Andy Maloney and grinder Brad Farrand, meaning there will be New Zealand representation in today's four boat final regardless of the result. Artemis driver Nathan Outteridge, an Australian, is also set to helm New Zealand's America's Cup campaign come September, an intriguing crossover as the countdown to that regatta continues.
The margin that ended Emirates GBR's weekend
Dylan Fletcher's crew arrived at the first mark locked together with Explorer Swiss, so close that commentators described them as mere millimetres from an overlap. Switzerland held the right of way and owned the mark. Rather than risk contact, Emirates GBR backed off, came off the foils in the manoeuvre and lost huge amounts of speed at the exact moment a sudden right hand wind shift brought the next layline in early, a combination that punished them far more than the manoeuvre itself ever should have. There was no penalty on the incident. It simply cost them their home event.
"It just shows you the margin," was how one commentator put it, watching Emirates GBR go from level with the leaders to out of touch in the space of a single leg. They never featured again, finishing sixth in front of their own supporters.
Switzerland make it look simple
Sébastien Schneiter's Explorer Swiss crew could hardly have made their job look easier. Leading from the first mark to the last, they extended steadily through the middle of the race and were never seriously challenged, crossing the line well clear for their best result of the event. It continues a strong record at this specific event for the Swiss, who reached the Portsmouth final twelve months ago and finished third overall in last year's championship. Quiet, consistent sailing all weekend has them through to today's final alongside Artemis Sweden.
DS Automobiles France backed up a difficult Saturday with a strong final day, driver Quentin Delapierre finding his feet again after a serious injury lay-off, to finish second.
A late twist to the finishing order
The final placings carried one more wrinkle. Germany's Deutsche Bank team crossed the line ahead of the US SailGP Team on the water, but were penalised for failing to keep clear of the Americans in the closing stages. The penalty flips the official result, promoting the US SailGP Team above Germany in the final classification even though Germany finished first across the line.
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Race 5 result, Group B
| Pos | Team | Driver | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explora Journeys Swiss Switzerland |
Sebastien Schneiter | 5 PTS |
| 2 | DS Automobiles FRA France |
Quentin Delapierre | 4 PTS |
| 3 | Artemis | Nathan Outteridge | 3 PTS |
| 4 | U.S. SailGP Team United States |
Taylor Canfield | 2 PTS |
| 5 | Germany by Deutsche Bank Germany |
Erik Heil | 1 PTS |
| 6 | Emirates GBR Great Britain |
Dylan Fletcher | 0 PTS |
Group B's final standings
Artemis Sweden top Group B's group stage on 19 points, with Explorer Swiss confirming second on 16 after their dominant final day performance. The US SailGP Team finish third on 13, agonisingly outside the qualifying places, with DS Automobiles France fourth on 11. Germany Deutsche Bank and Emirates GBR finish level on 8 points apiece, a tough way for the home team's weekend to end.
Artemis Sweden and Explorer Swiss progress to today's four boat final from Group B, joining Northstar Canada and Los Gallos Spain from Group A.
