In New York, the city that never death, cyclists never give a pedaling, distribute their errands with truciated electric bike VIP air that give the sailing competition a golf tournament tone, and banners are seen that say: “New York has been built by its immigrants.” And next to the Hudson of the Fleet of Coast Guard, others that speak Spanish and do not pedal, but fight, like everyone, they build castles in the water that float and fly more than 70 per hour.
It is an afternoon of wind and gusts that are filtered through the Roscacielos de Brooklyn on the back, of waves in the water that changes color every second, of whistles of the foils tearing the agitated water, of gray and crisp light, of victory of the team, six navigators – Joan Cardona, Joel Rodríguez, Bernardo Freitas, Diego Botopes and Flor Trittel – Fair or rap but fighting roosters in the final, a hand in hand with the New Zealand of Peter Burling, in which, with a maneuver of geniuses, an instinct and science turn, condemn the god of the candle abroad, in the shadow of seeing them coming. “We saw that there was not much wind in the other Boya and Joan [el táctico del equipo] He made the decision, said there was much more pressure in the other buoy and we turned and changed course, ”explains the Van der Velden strategist.“ We were quite clear that it is where there was wind, while it was a risky movement, but if we had not done it we would have done new Zealand. It is also important to know how to lead at that time and be clear and confidence in what we do. ”
From Pacific to Atlantic, from San Francisco to New York, is the second consecutive victory of the Spanish F50 in the season, the only team that has repeated first place in the six players played. The triumph also makes the first one in the general of a competition to 12 races that will end in November with the final of Abu Dhabi, and New Zealand, the antipodes in which the candle is the national sport. It is the fourth flyer- the winner’s trophy- that hangs on the mural of his box in the four years of existence of the team, and none in Europe: Bermuda, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.
Spain arrives with thirst and anger to the final of the Big Apple under the statue of liberty. It comes willing to bite, because Sunday has not been linear and clear, but rather tortuous, complicated. The team begins well-second after Brazil in the first of the three qualifying regattas, with great security at the exit, which was the weak point of a ship that still ended up won the Grand Final of Sailgp in 2024–, and are so convinced that the most difficult to reach the final is already done, that in the next regatta of 12, it falls asleep at the exit and ends 11º, 0 points. The Brazil of the Great Martine Grael, the only ship with a driver throughout the fleet, advances to Spain. The booty ship needs to be classified ahead of the Brazuka foilers. And he achieves it in a stormy regatta, penalties for the two teams, which only decides the experience of Spain against Brazil Novato in the competition. The victory in the last minute feeds the competitive engine of the Spanish F50, which shines in the final, a body of Olympic resonances, which leaves even more melancholic than usual the clear eyes of the kiwi mocking. “Being against the ropes has generated that moment that has made us squeeze in the final and I think it has put us in a very suitable mental space to win this final, the second consecutive victory, which is incredible,” says Botín, which has a history of melee fights with its 49er with the Australian, starting with the 2020 World Cup in the Antarctic waters of Geelong, Gold New Zealand, Spain. “We have shared a long time in Olympic classes, yes, and, with what they have achieved, it is an honor. Being able to compete with them from you in these ships is very special. Being fighting boat to boat … In this sport there is nothing better than this.”
The joy of Botín and Van Der Velden in the mixed area, a winner of winners in hand, is great, but perhaps not as much as that of the Brazilian Martine Grael, who in his sixth event has already managed to win a regatta and point has already been in his first grand finale. Pride of team, Brazil and, above all, pride of a woman. “I think our country is a country that can lead the change of how women position themselves in life, in everything, in general,” says the only woman in front of a team in Sailgp. “Although we are a very advanced country in this, we are also very late in some places, in some areas. Being a reference, as is also the gymnast Rebeca Andrade, is very incredible, and very good. Just as we have women reference in science, in culture, in politics …”
