CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — New Zealand won its home leg of the SailGP series on Sunday to take the general series lead from Australia who hit a mark in the very first fleet race of the day and took no more part in case. By winning the ninth leg of the series New Zealand moved one point ahead of Australia in the champion standings with just 2 occasions staying in Bermuda and Halifax before the series last in New York in June. The most recent leg on Lyttelton Harbour near Christchurch on the South Island was condensed to 3 fleet races before New Zealand, France and Canada raced in case last. 3 fleet races were arranged for the very first day Saturday however none might be cruised since of the existence of threatened dolphins on the race course. Lyttelton Harbour is an environment of the threatened Hector’s dolphin and the occasion procedures avoided racing from happening if dolphins were spotted on or near the course. No dolphins impacted racng on Sunday. New Zealand, France and Canada each won among the fleet races cruised Sunday to get approved for the last in which New Zealand beat France by 12 seconds. Australia sustained damage when it hit a mark near the start of race one and was not able to continue in case. New Zealand cruised easily throughout the day, typically picking to race out of stage with the rest of the fleet to prevent the threat of a crash. There were numerous accidents in the very first race which was won by New Zealand. New Zealand began at the back of field in the 2nd and 3rd races however revealed speed to cruise through the field into 4th location in the 2nd race won by Canada and 2nd in 3rd race won by France. The 3rd race was awesome as a number of groups competed for a location in the last. Just the leading 3 groups object to the last and the winner is crowned the occasion champ, taking 10 points in the total series standings. France, Canada, Spain and Germany led early in the 3rd race before New Zealand closed into 4th location at the 5th gate and lastly went up into 2nd. New Zealand won the start in the last and led around the course. Canada was 2nd early however lost ground when it divided with the fleet on the 3rd of 7 legs. Racing was seen by more than 22,000 viewers in the seeing location on coast, making the occasion the biggest ticketed cruising occasion in history. “It does not get any much better than this, a race weekend win in the house,” New Zealand wing trimmer Blair Tuke stated. “Beautiful conditions, fantastic crowd. “After the other day’s dissatisfaction for everybody, we’re so stired to place on an excellent program today. We stated we ‘d do it and we’ve done it.” The race win was the 3rd in succession for New Zealand chauffeur Peter Burling who guided the New Zealand boat into very first placements in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. He missed out on the 8th leg in Sydney due to adult leave and New Zealand completed second in his lack in an occasion won by Australia. The SailGP series remains in its 4th year and includes 10 groups racing similar modern hindering F50 catamarans that can reach speeds of around 50 knots (57 miles per hour). ___ AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
New Zealand wins home leg of SailGP; takes series lead as Australia crashes – The San Diego Union-Tribune
