Please select your home edition
Edition
Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design

Big umpire call leads to Emirates GBR missing the podium final in Dubai

by Emirates GBR SailGP Team 10 Dec 2023 16:33 UTC 9-10 December 2023
Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team are disqualified after a close encounter with the USA SailGP Team as the fleet cross the start line on Race Day 2 of the Emirates Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas in Dubai, United Arab Emirates © Bob Martin for SailGP

Sir Ben Ainslie said his Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team had a "tough end" to the Emirates Dubai SailGP Presented by P&O Marinas after being disqualified from the last fleet race of the event.

After ending Day 1 and starting Day 2 with race wins, Emirates GBR was looking likely to take a spot in the three-boat Event Final, but a protest from United States at the start of the second race of Day 2 made that impossible. The US Team protested that Emirates GBR had not given them enough room at the line, with Race Management agreeing and disqualifying Ainslie's crew.

Race Day 2 had started so well for Emirates GBR, with the Team getting up on the foils despite the light wind and leading the fleet just after crossing the start line. Due to the light air, all 10 teams had chosen to sail with the 29m wing, which had been out of action since the dramatic collapse of it on New Zealand's F50 foiling racing boat at the Saint-Tropez SailGP in September.

With crew size being reduced to five people on-board from six due to the conditions, Emirates GBR Strategist Hannah Mills OBE was back on the grinding handles. As well as joining Grinder Nick Hutton on the handles, Hannah was also maintaining her Strategist role and feeding vital information to Ainslie. Strategy was crucial when New Zealand overtook Emirates GBR on leg three while all 10 teams were off the foils, as Emirates GBR decided to sail a further distance in order to get back on the foils - and it paid off - with them picking up speed and getting ahead of Peter Burling's crew. Emirates GBR then led the fleet and crossed the finish line in first place.

For the second race of Day 2, Emirates GBR was crossing the start line next to Taylor Canfield's United States Team. As they crossed the line, Emirates GBR foiled past the US Team which led to a protest from Canfield for barging. The umpires agreed and a DSQ quickly followed, this then made it impossible for Emirates GBR to secure enough points to make it into the Final Race, dashing their dreams of victory in Dubai.

Speaking after coming ashore, Ainslie said: "It was a difficult way to end for us. We had a really good first race then at the second start we were in pole position and it was 50/50 with the US Team and they were obviously gunning to try and shut us out, but the umpires decided to disqualify us and that was a really tough call for us as a Team.

"I felt we were sailing really well today with the bigger wing and the Team was coming together, but in sport and in life sometimes things go against you and you just have to take it on the chin.

"If I had my time again I'd do it completely different, but I've been through enough ups and downs in my career to see it with a bit of perspective."

The day ended with Australia, Canada and New Zealand in the Event Final, with it being one of the closest races ever seen in SailGP. It was a tussle at the finish line, with leaders Canada receiving a penalty on the approach which meant they were denied victory despite being first across the line. It was a matter of metres between New Zealand and Australia, with the Kiwis being declared the winners.

Ainslie described the Event Final as "an epic race".

"I wasn't happy about watching it rather than being in it, but it was an epic race, an all-time SailGP classic, which just showcases what a brilliant event it's been here in Dubai. It's been one of the best events we've had in the League and we're very proud to be here flying the Emirates flag as the home team. We are certainly hoping for more events here in Dubai in the future."

Related Articles

Understanding sMRT Alert with Jack Sharland
Man Overboard Devices have come a long way in the last few years Man Overboard Devices have come a long way in the last few years with more features packed into smaller devices, but with all these features it can sometimes be difficult to understand what they all do. Posted on 9 Jul
The first images of Fountaine Pajot's new FP41
Combining comfort and conviviality, it's all about connection with the outdoors On board the New FP41, every space has been designed to combine comfort and conviviality: generous volumes, smooth circulation, full-beam cockpit, and an open galley connected to the outdoors. Posted on 7 Jul
£6500 raised for Morvargh Sailing Project
Local fundraising dinner at Langston House in Devon Langston House, a beautifully restored Grade II-listed Georgian farmhouse, opened its gates for the first time on 18th June to host a magical midsummer fundraising evening. The event brought together the local community. Posted on 6 Jul
Simena is born
Ares Yachts launches its first superyacht ARES Yachts has reached a major milestone. The Antalya-based shipyard has made a bold entry into the world of superyachts with the launch of SIMENA, its first vessel in the 60+ metre range Posted on 5 Jul
The value of insurance.
Fire and boats are never a good mix. It used to blamed on gas, now it is electricity... Fire and boats are never a good mix. In the old days much of it ended up being blamed on gas, whereas today, electricity is often the route cause. Posted on 3 Jul
Jazz Turner Faces Everything and Rises
Non-stop, solo, unassisted British Isles navigation has captivated sailors & non-sailors alike Jazz Turner's Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin Vega 27ft yacht has captivated sailors and non-sailors alike. Posted on 2 Jul
60m Perini Navi Sailing Yacht Katana delivered
An important milestone in the relaunch of the Perini Navi brand The Italian Sea Group is proud to announce the delivery of S/Y Katana, a 60-metre sailing ketch. This marks an important milestone in the relaunch of the Perini Navi brand, now fully integrated within the Group. Posted on 2 Jul
Packing for a Summer Sailing Weekend
Just because it's summer doesn't mean you're going to stay warm and dry all the time Just because it's summer doesn't mean you're going to stay warm and dry all the time, particularly when you're out on the water. The day may start windless, with a little dew on the ground, but a sea breeze can pick up in the afternoon. Posted on 1 Jul
Jazz Turner completes Project FEAR
Drama right to the end in her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles Jazz Turner has completed Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin 27 yacht. A flotilla of supporters met her in Seaford Bay, which grew and grew the closer they came to Brighton Marina. Posted on 1 Jul
New Zero Weight 2-in-1 Shorts from Henri-Lloyd
When the weather's hot, there's nothing better to keep you cool on or off the water When the weather's hot, there's nothing better than Henri-Lloyd's Zero Weight 2-in-1 shorts to keep you cool on or off the water. Posted on 30 Jun
Cure Marine - Cure 55 - FooterMarine Products Direct 2023 - Calypso FOOTERGJW Direct - Yacht 2019 - Footer