After a difficult first day in San Francisco on Saturday, the French SailGP team had an eventful Sunday, victim of a collision with the New Zealand F50 in the last regatta (see video below).
“
Today was hot, there was a fairly violent offshore wind and everyone was at the limit
, says helmsman Quentin Delapierre.
(During the collision)
We were at 35-40 knots and we had to pass behind the English, the Kiwis came from behind and got on top of us.
It's weird at the moment.
We all protected ourselves, we saw what happened… Their hull climbed above ours.
“
We find ourselves near the very sharp rudders and foils,
continues the sailor who had already had a good fright the day before
.
Fortunately we managed to protect ourselves quickly but behind we find ourselves last with a very bitter feeling
”.
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With a 4th and a 6th place on Sunday, the Blues finish the San Francisco event in 7th place (out of 8).
“
Today we were again in great difficulty
, observes Delapierre who particularly regrets the loading which slowed down the French in the first regatta of the day when they were off to a good start.
We were very uncomfortable with the boat and we lost the flight, it was a big loss.
There are no excuses.
Given our objectives, we simply did not have the right to do that, we are aware of that.
It served us well as a lesson.
What I appreciate is that at the end of the round people who feel like they were involved in the crash raise their hands and say "it's my fault sorry guys" that's is healthy in a team.”
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Despite this 2021-2022 season ending in last place (8th), the helmsman who arrived during the season (he had replaced Billy Besson last September) believes in the future: "
There are plenty of auspicious things and I I don't feel like we're telling stories.
Everyone wants to move forward and we are capable of (winning).
We don't feel like we don't belong and we don't look back.
We had a very good week.
We can't wait to be in Bermuda.
We want to progress to make the people who support us dream
.”
See you in mid-May for the kick-off of season 3.
Sailing: the SailGP final in fifteen spectacular images in San Francisco
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