Spain levels New York Sail Grand Prix series with 13.5-second win over GBR in Race 2

Spain crossed the finish line 13.5 seconds ahead of Emirates GBR in Race 2 of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, with Team USA a further 33 seconds back in third. Emirates GBR had won Race 1, leaving the standings at one win apiece heading into Race 3.

Race 2 also marked the first time all three teams shared the East River course on the day. USA had been absent from Race 1, so their arrival for Race 2 gave the event its first three-boat contest.

Spain won the start. Emirates GBR crossed the line two minutes later after taking a wide, conservative approach to Mark 1 to manage risk in gusty conditions. Spain led at that mark by three seconds, and Emirates GBR had pulled the gap back to under a second by Mark 3, briefly threatening to take the lead.

The race turned on the fifth leg near the top of the course. Spain moved left, found more pressure, and executed a clean compound manoeuvre that put them 15 seconds clear. Emirates GBR attempted to respond from lower on the course but overloaded the foils coming out of the manoeuvre, losing the grip needed to convert. Spain held the lead from that point, finishing 13.5 seconds ahead.

USA spent much of the race more than 25 seconds off the pace. At one point they sailed into a wind hole on the right side of the course while Spain were hitting 80 kilometres per hour on the left, and they finished 46.9 seconds behind Spain.

Average speeds across both races reached 64 kilometres per hour around the course, reflecting near top-end conditions for the F50s. Lighter winds are forecast for Sunday.

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke watched from race HQ. Tuke provided an update on Louis Sinclair, who was injured in the Auckland collision earlier this year and is recovering in Antigua. Sinclair will not return until the end of the season, with Stu Dodson filling in. The Black Foils are targeting Halifax on 21 and 22 June for their return to racing.