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First Event Win for USA Team at France Sail Grand Prix

11th September 2022
Jimmy Spithill's victorious United States SailGP Team in St. Tropez
Jimmy Spithill's victorious United States SailGP Team in St. Tropez

In Saint-Tropez, France, Jimmy Spithill has led his United States SailGP Team to his first ever SailGP victory, prevailing in light winds at the Range Rover France Sail Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez. In the final, he battled the in-form New Zealand team of Peter Burling, chasing a third straight event win, and Ben Ainslie's Great Britain team.

In a huge contrast to conditions - that saw records break yesterday - today represented the other end of the spectrum with light winds and the F50's racing with a 29 metrewing configuration.

Lack of wind in St. TropezLack of wind in St. Tropez for the SailGPs

After the United States team prevailed in the opening race of the day, race five was abandoned as the boats failed to make the race time limit, and the decision was made to go straight to the final podium race instead of the Super Sunday format that was planned.

Spithill's win revives what had to this point been a deeply troubled season for the United States team so far, with this event marking the first appearance in an event final.

The European leg of the championship concludes in two weeks' time at the Spain Sail Grand Prix | Andalucía - Cadiz, September 10-11.

SailGP Season 3 Championship Standings (after five events) 

1 // Australia // 42 points
2 // New Zealand // 41 points
3 // Great Britain // 34 points
4 // Denmark // 33 points
5 // France // 31 points
6 // Canada // 29 points
7 // United States // 25 points
8 // Spain // 15 points
9 // Switzerland // 12 points

*United States penalised 4 season points for an incident with France
*Switzerland penalised 2 season points for an incident with the United States

Published in SailGP
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About SailGP

SailGP unites world-class athletic talent and cutting-edge technology. Eight teams representing Australia, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the United States will contest eight events held in as many countries over an 11-month period. Following the season opener in Bermuda, the championship visits renowned sailing locations in Italy, the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Spain and New Zealand. San Francisco, United States, has the honour of closing proceedings with the Grand Final on 26–27 March 2022. Among those vying for the crown is the Great Britain team led by Rolex Testimonee and four-time Rolex World Sailor of the Year, Sir Ben Ainslie, who says: “The sailing world was crying out for the creation of such a concept. SailGP is a major milestone in the evolution of yachting, but it also represents continuity. The combination of state-of-the-art technology and sporting prowess is widening the appeal of sailing.