New Zealand has put the “most stressful race” behind them to win the SailGP event in Abu Dhabi

Results of the event in Abu Dhabi: New Zealand 10, Spain 9, USA 8, France 7, Germany 6, Canada 5, Australia 4, Great Britain 3, Denmark 2, Switzerland 1.

New Zealand won again at the SailGP in Abu Dhabi after emerging victorious in a race that Peter Burling described as “pretty much the most stressful thing you can get”.

After sneaking into the final by a boat-length in the fifth and final fleet race on Monday (NZ time) and securing enough points to contest the decider between the three leading teams, New Zealand beat the United States and Spain to record consecutive event wins for the United Arab Emirates.

A month after the ridiculously close result when they won in Dubai, the New Zealand crew had smoother sailing as they crossed the finish line first in the Abu Dhabi final against the American and Spanish boats.

“We got off to a really good start in the last race, leading at the first mark and life was pretty easy from there,” said New Zealand driver Burling.

It was a crucial success in their SailGP season as it moved them into second place, six points behind leaders Australia. This means the season is well prepared ahead of the next two events in Sydney and Christchurch in February and March.

Conditions in Abu Dhabi were still challenging due to light winds and New Zealand was caught up in the chaos of the competition's fourth fleet race when almost all ten boats were penalized for crossing the starting line too early.

The easing wind meant teams used the larger 29m wing configuration to improve speed in light breezes.

SAILGP/Delivered

The New Zealand team celebrates their victory in Abu Dhabi.

New Zealand were in contention after the first day and were in second place as all teams struggled with the conditions. The second day was just as hard.

“It was probably the most stressful race you can get. We just battled in the middle all day,” Burling said.

Aboard their Amokura boat, it was only the second time the Kiwi crew had raced their 29-meter wing since it was repaired after it shattered into pieces and nearly collapsed in France last September.

New Zealand have bounced back from that setback to move up to second place with back-to-back wins in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Five regattas remain until the finale in San Francisco in July.

SAILGP/Delivered

Peter Burling (right) hugs Blair Tuke after her win in Abu Dhabi.

Spain made a late comeback on the final stage of the crucial race in Abu Dhabi, but neither team could catch the New Zealanders.

New Zealand wing cutter Blair Tuke said it had been a fantastic start to the year.

“To get back on our feet like we did [this season] shows a lot of courage from this team. “The way we navigate our way through these light air events has been extremely pleasing,” said Tuke.

Behind the two leaders Australia and New Zealand, only six points separate the USA in third and Canada in eighth.

The season resumes on February 24 and 25 when Australia, the three-time defending champions, host races in Sydney. Christchurch is hosting the following regatta on March 23rd and 24th.

SAILGP/Delivered

The race in Abu Dhabi was chaotic at times.

Each team is hoping for stronger winds and better sailing conditions when the competition takes place Down Under.

“It’s been a long time since we last sailed in the wind,” Burling said.

“It will be great to get back out there and show what these boats can do, especially in front of our fans at home.”

Christchurch was chosen to host the New Zealand SailGP leg just last month, replacing Auckland. Organizers said the Auckland event had been canceled because Wynyard Point was not available as a spectator facility.

SailGP rankings after seven events: Australia 56, New Zealand 50, USA 43, Denmark 43, Spain 42, Great Britain 41, France 38, Canada 37, Germany 16, Switzerland 12.