United States wins Spain Sail Grand Prix to keep championship hopes alive

Taylor Canfield and the USA team won the Spain Sail Grand Prix in light winds in Valencia, keeping their championship hopes alive. The weekend’s first light-airs event in months set up a battle in the four-boat final, with Australia poised to win for the sixth time from 10 races this season. But Australia lost control late as the USA extended their speed advantage on the final upwind leg. A right-hand wind shift enabled Canfield to execute a critical overtake, then defend a narrow lead to the finish. It’s the Americans’ second win of the season and lifts Canfield’s crew to third overall, still 12 points behind Spain, while Australia leads on 85.