Dubai: NZ Edges Canada at the Finish Line

Dec 13, 2023

At the Dubai event this weekend, the Canada SailGP Team was in tough with the top contenders but, in the end, finished a very creditable third by a nose.

In the thriller, winner-takes-all final race, the lead changed constantly and at the finish there was utter confusion as all three finalists – New Zealand, Canada, and Australia – were side by side, meters from both the shoreline and the finish line and no one was clear who had taken the win.

Phil Robertson’s Canada SailGP Team appeared to have the upper hand heading into the final mark as it surged ahead in front of a sold out Dubai crowd. But Robertson was penalized for not providing Australia – driven by Jimmy Spithill who was standing in for regular driver Tom Slingsby – with enough space to get around the final mark, and despite crossing the line first, the victory went to the Kiwis who snuck in at the very last minute.

This strong showing and the relentless dedication of the Canadian sailors bodes well for the Halifax event in June. Look for our team to pour on the muscle when the crowds gather in Nova Scotia.

EMIRATES DUBAI SAIL GRAND PRIX PRESENTED BY P&O MARINAS // FINAL STANDINGS //
1 // New Zealand 10 points
2 // Australia 9 points
3 // Canada 8 points
4 // France 7 points
5 // Emirates GBR 6 points
6 // ROCKWOOL Denmark 5 points
7 // Switzerland 4 points
8 // United States 3 points
9 // Germany 2 points
10 // Spain 1 point

SAILGP SEASON 4 CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (after six events) //
1 // Australia 52 points
2 // ROCKWOOL Denmark 41 points
3 // New Zealand 40 points
4 // Emirates GBR 38 points
5 // United Stated 35 points
6 // Spain 33 points
7 // Canada 32 points
8 // France 31 points
9 // Switzerland 15 points
10 // Germany 10 points