Sir Ben Ainslie admitted it had been “a long time coming” but praised his crew for having done a “brilliant job all weekend” as Emirates GBR team took their first SailGP victory in over two years in St Tropez on Sunday.
The British team won the French round of the global racing series, beating reigning champions Australia and in-form Spain in a dramatic finale which saw the British boat pass the Australians on the penultimate leg, forcing them to take a penalty on the water with a brilliant manoeuvre.
It was Britain’s first victory since the opening round of Season 2 in Bermuda back in April 2021.
It’s been a long time coming but it was great to be in one of those all-time classic finals with the Aussies who are the great champion team,” Ainslie said. “To come out, get through them and overtake them - we’ll take that.
“The team did a brilliant job all through the weekend. I feel like we made some big gains as a team. It’s been a frustrating period for us not quite getting the results but now we’ve got some momentum behind us.”
Emirates GBR rise to fourth overall in the Season 4 championship on 19 points, seven behind leaders Australia.
The winning line-up of the Emirates GBR Sail Grand Prix Team was Driver and CEO Sir Ben Ainslie, Strategist Hannah Mills OBE, Grinders Matt Gotrel OBE, Nick Hutton and Neil Hunter, Flight Controller Luke Parkinson, Wing Trimmer Iain Jensen and reserve sailor Hannah Diamond.
Emirates GBR will be hoping to take their success into the next SailGP in Taranto, Italy, on 23 and 24 September.
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