Group H – Race 4: SSL Team Uruguay extended their winning streak to three consecutive victories with another impressive comeback. Overcoming an untidy start, La Celeste rounded the final windward mark behind SSL Team Antigua & Barbuda before captain and helmsman Hernán Umpierre spotted pressure building near the coastline and made a decisive gybe towards the rocks. The move paid off spectacularly, allowing Uruguay to build speed downwind, overtake Antigua & Barbuda and cross the finish line 19 seconds ahead to secure their third straight win.
Reflecting on the race, Umpierre acknowledged the early mistakes but highlighted the team’s ability to seize the opportunity: “It was quite tricky. I wasn’t particularly accurate with my start, and I miscalculated the layline a little. There are definitely things to learn from. As a team, though, I think we’re all on the same page and moving forward, learning from those little mistakes. On the second downwind, we spotted an opportunity and went for it. I was calling for us to head towards the rock, get around it cleanly and then drive hard. It was just amazing. There was a lot of energy out there.”
In the overall standings, Uruguay lead Group H with 14 points, holding a four-point advantage over Antigua & Barbuda (10). Puerto Rico (8) and Venezuela (7) remain close behind. With double points on offer in Race 5, the battle for qualification is still wide open.
