Spithill takes positives from US SailGP team's new crew combo going into Season 4
by Laura Muma 8 May 2023 04:35 BST
May 6-7, 2023
USA SailGP team in action on Race Day 1 of the Mubadala SailGP Season 3 Grand Final in San Francisco, USA © Felix Diemer/SailGP
Australia claimed the three-peat to win the SailGP Season 3 title, while the United States SailGP Team finished the Mubadala SailGP Season 3 Grand Final in San Francisco event in eighth place and seventh place overall for the season
The American team led by CEO and Driver Jimmy Spithill mathematically could not qualify for the final and utilized the final event of the season to road-test a new crew configuration on board as it looks toward the Season 4 opener in Chicago June 16 - 17.
On a positive note, the team finished its last race of the event with a third-place finish, but Spithill recognized it as a lost opportunity to claim a race win after a terrific start. “We were testing a new combination so it was nice to somewhat pull it together, but clearly we need to get our act together,” Spithill said.
Speaking from a fan perspective, Spithill was pleased to see the close racing from the Aussies, New Zealand and Great Britain in the Grand Final. “Today was about as good as it gets for our sport.
“Clearly we wanted to do well here,” Spithill said. “We are overdue for a good result at home, and have yet to do that, so I’m hoping that Chicago is the one. With four U.S. events in Season 4 we absolutely want to be up on the podium.”
The SailGP Season 4 opener is just over one month away at the Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier June 16-17, as the league turns to the Windy CIty to kick off a 12-event, 13-month Season 4 which will culminate back here in San Francisco in July 2024.