But the biggest heartbreak belonged to home team Los Gallos.
After dominating the opening and emerging as the form team in Valencia with a 1-1-2 scorecard, Diego Botin’s team suffered a nightmare opening race on Sunday. Starting at the back in light and tricky conditions, Los Gallos couldn’t recover and crossed the finish line last.
With race management subsequently confirming there would be just one fleet race for each group before the Final, the result ended the Spanish team’s hopes of racing for victory on home waters.
It was a brutal reversal of fortunes for Los Gallos, who had looked almost unstoppable 24 hours earlier. The United States, meanwhile, seized their opportunity.
After a 20-minute delay because of light winds, Canfield nailed the start and was the only boat in the group to get onto the foils immediately.
While the rest of the fleet struggled along at around 15km/h, the Americans accelerated away at approximately 35km/h. They never looked back.
Germany by Deutsche Bank finished second, with NorthStar completing the podium after passing ROCKWOOL Racing late in the race. The Danes held on for fourth despite a late charge from DS Team France.
It meant the U.S. and ROCKWOOL Racing progressed to the Final, setting up a four-team showdown alongside the Bonds Flying Roos and Red Bull Italy.
And what a Final it was.