In this episode of The Yacht Racing Life Podcast, Justin Chisholm is joined from the UK by fellow yachting journalist Magnus Wheatley to dive into all the drama, intrigue, and slippery foils of the the sixth event of SailGP Season 5, which took place in New York last weekend.
While neither of them got the call-up from Russell Coutts to attend in person (again), Justin and Magnus were watching intently online and had plenty to say about a weekend of unpredictable conditions, inconsistent performances, and some curious tactical decisions.
Magnus begins with heaps of praise for the SailGP tech team for getting the boats racing at all after the major repair operation that has taken place in the last 12 weeks.
The pair talk about the impact of the light-air LAB foils—and how some of the fleet looked like they were back in Season 1—and question the wisdom of requiring just three crew for the first race on Saturday. Spain were worthy winners, but nobody really dominated. Even the mighty Aussies looked rattled, perhaps distracted by their new A-list ownership?
Justin and Magnus tip their hats to the Brazilians, with Martine Grael looking more relaxed and effective at the helm—clearly benefiting from the support of Paul Goodison, Leigh McMillan, and Andy Maloney.
Off the water, they tackle the booming commercial side of SailGP. Celebrity investors, eyewatering valuations, and a media machine that’s clearly focused on global reach more than just the core sailing fan. They speculate on American Magic’s rumoured interest in the US team, discuss where the real value lies in these franchises, and whether Russell Coutts' high-stakes game could reshape sailing’s professional landscape.
The duo finish with a few bold season-winner predictions. Listen to the end to find out who they each back.
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I check-in with Tudor Team Alinghi’s director for technical and sailing, New Zealand America’s Cup veteran Dave Endean – the man in charge of making sure that in AC38 the Swiss syndicate improves on its somewhat lacklustre performance in the last Cup in Barcelona.
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