Kiwi skipper hails Chinese crew after surprise podium finish

Not many pundits at the start of the year would have bet on China making the podium in the inaugural season of SailGP, but at the weekend grand final in Marseille, France, the team was elated to take third spot.

Skippered by New Zealander Phil Robertson, the team was created by SailGP to help Chinese talent become competitive in high-octane racing on state-of-the-art and highly technical foiling boats.

With a nation-versus-nation format, the rules stipulate that at least two of the five sailors must come from the country for which they race.