SailGP Bermuda Update 1

Thursday May 12: We report from Bermuda where eight international teams lined up for three unofficial practice races in breezy conditions on Bermuda’s Great Sound

Image © Thomas Lovelock for SailGP

Welcome to Bermuda where the weather over the last few days has been less than optimal with noticeable a lack of sunshine and an excess of rain.

Heavy downpours yesterday evening meant a street party on Front Street in Hamilton scheduled for yesterday had to be postponed until tonight. happily though there has been plenty of breeze for the teams’ training days.

It was a cloudy and humid this morning while the boats were being rigged and launched but  conditions improved dramatically this afternoon when the skies cleared and the sun made a welcome reappearance.

Image © Justin Chisholm/SGP Insider

Out on the water the nine teams competing in this weekend’s season three opening event spent an hour or so on individual training before joining forces for three unofficial practice races laid on to give the TV team some valuable rehearsal time. The breeze was in the 18 to 20-knot range making the organisers choice of the small rigs look like a smart move.

It was just practice racing at the end of the day, but for what they are worth here are my notes from the three races:

The Australians looked super slick and fast, flying the boat high all day and always in control.

Image © Thomas Lovelock for SailGP

The new Canadian team – with Phil Robertson on the wheel and Chris Draper trimming the wing – looked promising. Robertson proved he had not lost any of his starting ability in the first heat winning the windward end of the start line to round the first turning mark hot on the heels of the Australians.