New Zealand's Peter Burling expresses excitement about the team's momentum after their Abu Dhabi victory, narrowing the point difference with leading team Australia.
“We’ve had an awesome time up here in the UAE, it’s been really great for our team to get a couple of wins on the board and really close up that gap to the Australians in front,” Burling said. Looking ahead to SailGP’s next event in Sydney, he added: “We’re just excited to continue building momentum through the season.”
In light wind conditions, New Zealand triumphed over Spain and the USA, marking their first appearance in Abu Dhabi. The updated standings place New Zealand closely behind Australia, with only a 6-point difference. A crucial OCS penalty in the final fleet race affected Australia's performance, ranking them seventh in this event.
Burling, reflecting on the team's achievements and looking forward to the Sydney race, emphasized their enthusiasm for maintaining momentum throughout the season.
After overcoming challenges including equipment failure in Saint-Tropez, New Zealand's recent victory under tough conditions is a significant boost for the team.
The F50 fleet will next compete in the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney on February 24-25.