It was only a matter of time, of being patient: Spain already has its first victory in history in SailGP. In the fourth season of the competition and in Los Angeles. The F50 Victoria finally knows what it’s like to lift the coveted steering wheel (a prize awarded to the winner of the event) after beating the almighty Australia and Denmark in the Grand Final. The team led by Diego Botín and Florian Trittel signed a movie weekend in Los Angeles that allows them to let go of ballast after a few years of doubts and gain confidence. And most importantly, sending the message that this team not only has a future but also a present in SailGP.
The crew of the F50 Victoria already deserved a joy like the one obtained in Los Angeles. Diego Botin, Florian Trittel, Joel Rodriguez, Nicole van der Velden, Joan Cardona, Stewart Dodson and Bernardo Freitas angrily raised the winners’ wheel in the second event of this fourth season of SailGP. Diego Botín and Florian Trittel, after replacing Jordi Xammar in charge of the Spanish team, asked for patience to treat stars like Tom Slingsby, Peter Burling, Jimmy Spithill and Ben Ainslie one on one and the day arrived. “We were aware that with the conditions of the race it could happen that a team like ours could win the wheel, but, in any case, there was a lot of work to do and we have done it. Right now the motivation to continue working in the future could not be higher. It has been a day of many emotions, without a doubt, it could not have been better”commented a euphoric Diego Botín.
What happened in Los Angeles, without a doubt, is already history and that is that the early morning (in Spanish time) could not have started better for Spain. He won the fifth race of the event and this showed that the day could be a dream. With the ticket to the Grand Final almost in their pocket, nerves took their toll on the crew because, in race 6, they were penultimate (ninth) due to some penalties with France. Despite this, the numbers accompanied the Spanish team and sealed their pass to the Grand Final. In it, Australia, winner of the three SailGP seasons, and Denmark were measured. It was not the first Grand Final in history for the F50 Victoria because in season 2 it was held in Taranto, Saint-Tropez and Sydney, but it was for Botín and Trittel as team leaders. The couple, who are hardened by pressure and know each other perfectly because they are teammates in 49er (they are in the middle of the Olympic campaign towards Paris 2024), were not intimidated. The start was perfect and, despite the Danish attacks, he opened up a valuable gap (he had an advantage of 500 meters) that in the end allowed him to win. “It is incredible to have won a SailGP event and also in this way. We have lived through very hard times and, without a doubt, Getting here is sensational. Of course, I think we have a lot of work ahead of us and we have to trust in the good path we have built”, added Nicole van der Velden, strategist for the Spanish team.
Thanks to this victory in Los Angeles, Spain is currently second in the general classification. It is tied on 16 points with Denmark, third, and is only one behind Australia, leader (17). Great news for a Spanish team that has been able to adapt to changes and is getting results. After this event, the second in the United States, SailGP will head to Europe. The next one will be in Saint-Tropez (France) on the days September 9 and 10.