Day 1 of Mubadala Abu Dhabi 2025 Season Grand Final with its $2million payday drifted to an end without any foiling.
Tough for the teams as the wind was light forcing them to sail with just three on board and in displacement mode throughout the day.
Team of the day were Nicolai Sehested and Rockwool Denmark who top the day 1 table with two wins and second and third places.
Second overall are Mubadala Brazil and then third Red Bull Italy.
The other winners on day 1 were Erik Heil and GER Deutsche Bank taking the opening race and Sebastien Schneiter’s Switzerland winning the final race of the day.
Looking at the Grand Final leaderboard it was a struggle for the three established leaders, but they survive into day 2.
Peter Burling was back with the Black Foils and now sits top, tied on 85 pts with Dylan Fletcher and Emirates GBR, with Tom Slingsby’s Bonds Flying Roos in third with 82 pts.
Just outside the top three it’s still Diago Botin and Los Gallos with 76 pts, trying to find a way in.
Dylan Fletcher said the opening day of the Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix was not the team’s “finest performance”, but added the crew was “still focused on the main job of getting into that Grand Final”.
Fletcher was racing the F50 alongside Flight Controller Luke Parkinson and Wing Trimmer Iain Jensen.
The Brits ended the first day of racing in 10th position, after placing 9th, 11th, 9th and 4th in the four fleet races on Saturday.
Obviously what the event needs is some wind. Displacement sailing on short courses is a recipe for disaster, confusing (even for the race scorers) and not a pretty sight.
All 12 international teams hit the water again Sunday for two more qualifying fleet races after which an Abu Dhabi event winner will be crowned.
Overall season standings will be updated and the top three teams will advance to the winner-takes-all Grand Final race and one crowned the 2025 Season Rolex SailGP Champion.
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi 2025 Season Grand Final day 2 starts at 10:00 UK time.
