Overview
- Emirates Great Britain led from the gun in the three-boat final after nailing the start, while Australia took a boundary penalty that delayed its getaway.
- Australia finished second just ahead of France as the defending champions launched their title defense with a wire-to-wire victory in Perth.
- Strong Fremantle Doctor breezes created choppy, high-speed racing on 18-meter wings, with F50s topping 90 kph.
- New Zealand was ruled out after colliding with Switzerland and later received a penalty, as Spain missed the event following a training mishap; New Zealand targets a return in Auckland on Feb. 14.
- Debutant Sweden topped day one with two fleet wins but slipped to fourth overall, while Australia fielded Glenn Ashby in a late switch for injured Iain Jensen.