Sail GP heads to Los Angeles this weekend, and one team says it has more to prove than most.
Team Germany stunned crowds on debut in Chicago, and some of that credit belongs to a Formula One legend.
The Germans had yet to race their boat competitively, so you can imagine the reaction when they ended the first day better off than the US and Switzerland.
"Considering the goals we had set, it was very, very successful, so we were happy we were competitive," Team Germany captain Erik Heil told Newshub.
Olympic sailor Heil leads Germany into season four's second round this weekend.
Heil insists LA will be less about results than it will be about growing the sport's profile back home, which a potential Grand Prix in Germany would provide a huge boost towards.
"It's great. I think it would change a lot of the visibility of sailing in Germany," he admitted.
And Germany has a unique secret weapon of its own in Formula One legend Sebastian Vettel, who co-owns the team.
"He was always a role model in sports in Germany," Heil said. "Obviously a lot of knowledge about professional series, so he's always helping us out with many topics.
While Germany hope to improve on its efforts from Chicago, New Zealand is looking to maintain its spot at the front of the pack, after holding off the Aussies to win the opening round last month.
Peter Burling's expecting one of the most 'exciting' rounds of SailGP yet.
"It's a super short course," said Burling.
"Lots of interaction with other boats, lots of corners. It's going to make for lots of great viewing, both onshore and on water."
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