Coming into the second day of the Rockwool Germany Sail Grand Prix in Sassnitz, Dylan Fletcher and Emirates GBR still had a chance to qualify for the winner-takes-all event final.
After the first day they were fourth in the six boat Group A, two points behind leaders Tom Slingsby and the Bonds Flying Roos, and Nathan Outteridge and Artemis.
A reasonable start behind the Aussie team in the first race (R4) of the day, but in the difficult weather conditions it was Erik Kosegarten-Heil of Germany who coped best to take the win, with the rest struggling to finish. Giles Scott’s Artemis in second, displaced Slingsby to move into a Final place, while the Brits dropped to fifth overall.
The final Group A qualification race (R5) saw a flying start for Taylor Canfield and the USA Team, with Emirates GBR fifth at the first turn mark. Giles Scott moved into the lead at Gate 3, with Slingsby taking second to reclaim his Final position alongside Scott.
Fletcher and Emirates GBR finished 6th putting them 5th in Group A and 9th on the 13 team overall Leaderboard at the Germany Sail Grand Prix.
The four boat winner-takes-all event final was won by Tom Slingsby and the BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team, ahead of CAN Giles Scott, Northstar, 3rd ESP Diego Botin, Los Gallos and 4th NZL Peter Burling, Black Foils.
Emirates GBR Driver Dylan Fletcher said the team was ‘disappointed’ with its result after fine margins saw the team miss out on the event final.
Strategist Hannah Mills said: “It was really random conditions today, we went from 22-23 knots to down to 10 at time. In the first race we were in a good spot then unfortunately it turned super wacky at the top and then we couldn’t get back into it. We feel like we’re in a much better place now and things are starting to click, so hopefully the better results will start coming.”
In a recent interview with Andy Rice for the Foil podcast, SailGP CEO Russell Coutts indicated that Mills is expected to front a new team (No. 14) next season, with a new F50 presently in-build at the SailGP Southampton Plant.
The German Grand Prix results mean Emirates GBR is now fourth on the Season Championship leaderboard, but Fletcher said his team is still focused on getting in the top three and defending their Season Championship title.
SailGP will return in just two weeks time on 5 and 6 September in Valencia, the championship’s debut in the Spanish city, and with sun-soaked beaches and roaring crowds lining Valencia’s iconic marina.