It's the fourth day of racing at the SSL Gold Cup in Gran Canaria, and it's also the double-points final race day for the 1/32 Finals. The wind is up, the sun is shining - perfect for yacht racing.
The last race of the day was high-stakes, with three of the four teams on identical points, and Bermuda only two points behind, setting the stage for an unpredictable finish.
There was drama from the off with Team Ukraine having to rapidly take their sails down after a fitting on the spreader failed, cruelly putting them out of the race.
Approaching the end of the first leg, it was a head-to-head showdown between Antigua & Barbuda and Malaysia, rounding the Mark 1 with just 7 seconds separating them. But after a penalty called by Malaysia, Antigua & Barbuda was forced to perform a 360-degree turn. This setback knocked 'The Rum Runners' from the lead down to second place, and then eventually third behind Bermuda.
As we reached the end of Mark 3, the race dynamics shifted dramatically. Bermuda, in a stunning maneuver, overtook Malaysia, with Antigua & Barbuda trailing behind by 400 meters.
However, Bermuda lost its position to Malaysia on the final stretch. For Team Malaysia, this was a crucial and momentous first win in the fleet and came at just the right time.
Bermuda had to wait to confirm their place in the 1/16 Finals as the tie-break system was clarified. 'The Privateers' second place in the double point Race 4 was it to them due to the 6 points they were awarded.
