Spain SailGP Team conquers Bermuda

The Spanish SailGP team conquered the island of Bermuda and picked up their second win of the season, after the one they won in Los Angeles at the start of the season.

After a last minute qualification for the weekend's final, the F50 Victoria led by Diego Botin beat the all-conquering New Zealand and Australia to prove that this team can win this year's SailGP.

In the first of the two races of the day, the Spain SailGP Team achieved a third place that brought Los Gallos closer to the top three of the weekend, although a good result in the last race was needed to achieve the feat. A feat that was not achieved until the very last minute of the fifth and final race. Spain, who arrived second at the last mark, saw France sneak up on them on the inside, in a manoeuvre that ended with a penalty for the Spanish team. Australia then took advantage of the situation to overtake both countries and cross the finish line in second place. This left Spain and Canada tied on points for third place in the Grand Prix. However, as the Spanish team had crossed the line ahead of Phil Robertson's team in the final heat, qualification for the final was achieved.

In the final, a brilliant manoeuvre by the Spanish F50 allowed Los Gallos to make a perfect start and take the lead of the fleet. From then on, Spain maintained a vibrant duel with New Zealand, which until almost the last buoy threatened Los Gallos' second victory of the season.

With this first place in the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix, the Spain SailGP Team consolidated its third place in the overall SailGP ranking, nine points ahead of Rockwool Denmark, in fourth place. The dream of San Francisco is closer.

"It's been a very exciting day. We wanted to be in the final and to finish the weekend like this is incredible," said Diego Botin, helmsman of Spain SailGP Team. Team strategist Nicole van der Velden added: "To fight and win in the final against the Kiwis and the Aussies, who are undoubtedly the two strongest teams in the competition, is a unique feeling.

On this second day of the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix, the Spain SailGP Team competed with a configuration of six aboard the F50 Victoria: Diego Botin (helmsman), Florian Trittel (wing trimmer), Joel Rodriguez (flight controller), Nicole van der Velden (strategist), Joan Cardona and Bernardo Freitas (grinders).

The next stop of the championship will be the Rockwool Canada Sail Grand Prix, on the 1st and 2nd of June, just off the coast of Halifax and Dartmouth.