The New Zealand SailGP Team were called out for arrogance by a rival after a tactical error that saw the Kiwis miss out on a spot in the podium race in Cadiz.
The New Zealand crew needed only to finish ahead of the United States boat to qualify for the podium race and had the jump on them around the final mark as they made their way to the finish line.
However, they turned into the path of Great Britain, who were a long way behind and still making their way towards the final mark. While there might have been scope for the British to allow the Kiwis to pass ahead of them, helmsman Sir Ben Ainslie instead sailed an aggressive line to pin in the Kiwis – a team that included plenty of his Team New Zealand America’s Cup rivals – and draw a penalty on them.
It was a frustrating scenario for the New Zealand crew, who lost any advantage they had just gained on the Americans, and wing trimmer Blair Tuke voiced his disdain at the move as the British sailed passed.
“That’s bulls..t ... You’re not even in our race,” Tuke said.