Trittel eyes Grand Final: 'We want everything to be just plug and play'

2024 Champions Los Gallos is in a 'truly luxurious' position. With two events to go, the Spanish team have already qualified for the Championship-deciding Grand Final alongside three-time champion Bonds Flying Roos. They did this in Geneva, beating the Aussies, Danish and Swiss in the Final - a 'huge' victory for the team, according to flight controller Florian Trittel. "None of us envisioned being qualified for the Grand Final this early at the beginning of the season," he says.

Geneva's victory was special for other reasons too. It followed a painful home event in Valencia where the team's best Saturday ever was followed by a poor Sunday which cost them a place in the Final. Geneva was also an important morale boost - beating who they perceive to be 'the best team in the league' in light air conditions. "Being in a Final with the Aussies in conditions that could be similar to Abu Dhabi, then overtaking them and winning really boosts our confidence," he says.

The team's early qualification means they're in the 'privileged position' of being under zero pressure to perform in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They can decide how to play it - to just go through the motions, avoid risk completely or use both events as a training exercise for the Grand Final. Their preference is for the latter. "From here, we can really focus on Dubai as a preparatory event for Abu Dhabi and the Grand Final."

Key to this is improving the team's technique in the light airs expected to sweep the Middle East racecourses. "Those lighter winds were a struggle for us at the beginning of the season, but it's one area where we made huge progress in Geneva, so we'll focus on the technical aspect of setting up the boats in medium to light airs."

While protecting the F50 and avoiding damage is certainly a consideration, the team's ultimate aim is to race competitively and qualify for the Dubai Final. This is to gain crucial starting practice in a smaller group. While event Finals have four boats - two qualifying from each group - the Grand Final will see only the top three teams on season points qualify. Even dropping one boat from the line up 'changes everything quite drastically'.

Los Gallos have qualified for the second highest number of Finals (eight) this season, trailing only season leaders Bonds Flying Roos (nine). But the Aussies have a significant better win rate conversion (55.6%), winning five from nine Finals. The Spanish meanwhile have won three from eight (37.5%). Key to beating the Aussies in the Grand Final is ensuring they execute 'the most important start of the season'.

"We've done quite a few Finals this season and we feel confident - but at the same time we know there's so much at stake on that one start," he says. "While we're feeling confident, we have to put a lot of emphasis on every little detail and ensuring that, when the moment comes, everything is just plug and play."

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