Abu Dhabi will offer tricky light winds, a compact course and a $2 million prize for teams competing for a spot in the SailGP Grand Final this weekend.

SailGP’s fifth season culminates in a race where the crew with the highest score wins it all. This is called Formula One on the water.

The event will be held in 2025, and Britain is the leaderboard, followed by New Zealand, Australia, and three of SailGP’s most successful teams.

Spain, last year's champion, is currently fourth in the standings and needs others to stumble during the 12-boat races that will take place on Saturday and/or Sunday for them to be able to finish the race and win the trophy.

Peter Burling, the skipper of New Zealand's F50 foiling catamaran team, suffered a badly cut finger while attempting to repair one of the daggerboards during training. This led to speculation that he might not be able compete.

The team released a statement on Friday stating that Burling was cleared to sail.

"Burling was evaluated by a doctor in Abu Dhabi this morning for the finger injury. His team announced that he will take part in the practice race as usual today.

Tom Slingsby of Australia, who has won three of the four SailGP season so far, revealed that he was receiving high-profile support from Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds and their crew, who were co-owners in June.

Slingsby added that SailGP's growing popularity outside of the country, partly due to the social media they use, is "changing the sport".

Dylan Fletcher, a British crew member, said that his team is "excited to race" and that they are all looking for ways to improve.

Fletcher added: "This has been an incredible season."

Diego Botin, a Spaniard, said that Abu Dhabi's 12 boats will compete for space and wind, which could be a boon to the reigning champions who, despite being the underdogs, will "go full on".

The venue and conditions will enhance our chances of making it to the final. It's more of a game for anyone to play on a small course with light winds. "So yeah, anything can happen," said he. (Reporting and editing by Toby Davis; Alexander Smith)

(source: Reuters)