Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
The adrenaline rush for Abu Dhabi's hosting of the SailGP Championship finale will get extra doses of drama with the introduction of a sail wing modification and a finger injury to one of the key members in a top-contending team.
The light-wind event is already something to keep teams pouring hours of strategy sessions. Add to that is a modified 27.5 metre wing – down from the usual 29 metres – and T-foils with new rudders to push the boundaries on the F50 catamarans of every team.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s lead man Peter Burling injured his right index finger on Wednesday while trying to fix a daggerboard issue. The heavily bandaged Black Foils driver put up a brave face and insisted to Aletihad that he will be at the helm come Saturday. “I should be fine. It’s two big days left to go, but I am sure you will see me there.”
There was some silver lining, though, for Burling, who was voted as the Most Valuable Player in the SailGP Fan Awards.
Burling has led his New Zealand outfit to two event wins this season and put them in contention to take their first Rolex SailGP Championship title.
Burling’s victory is the latest in a line of awards that have included Germany taking the Most Improved category, Dylan Fletcher winning SailGP Powerhouse, the SailGP Tech Team taking Fan Moment of the Year in light of their miracle repairs in Sassnitz, and Emirates GBR scooping the Impact League Trophy.
To make the three-team Grand Final, they have to finish sixth or better in the fleet racing part of the Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix - well within their capabilities.
However, the injury has cast a shadow of doubt on that.
