Spain strengthened its SailGP Championship challenge by claiming a second successive event victory in Portsmouth after edging Artemis Racing, Switzerland and Canada in a dramatic four-boat final.
The Los Gallos crew, led by Diego Botín, followed up victory in Halifax by winning the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix. The result reduced Australia's championship lead while Artemis climbed to third overall in the season standings.
Botín praised his crew after another strong performance in demanding conditions.
"It was an amazing weekend," he said. "The conditions were very windy with the small wing, which we love. It was amazing to get the win back-to-back after Halifax. It felt like we were gelling as a team in every aspect."
Artemis continued its consistent run with a second consecutive runner-up finish. Driver Nathan Outteridge said the team's improving reliability was encouraging despite narrowly missing victory.
"The final could have gone either way," Outteridge said. "We're pleased to have reached two finals in a row and we're doing the basic things really well."
Canada's NorthStar SailGP Team finished third after reaching its second event final of the season, while the Swiss crew placed fourth.
The Portsmouth event proved to be the most competitive SailGP regatta of the season. Each of the ten qualifying fleet races was won by a different team, highlighting the closeness of the international fleet.
Teams raced in two qualifying groups before the top four progressed to the winner-takes-all final.
New Zealand's Black Foils, winners in Portsmouth last year, slipped to fifth overall after costly penalties in qualifying despite a strong opening day.
Home hopes also faded as Emirates GBR failed to reach the final. A mistake at the opening mark in their final qualifying race left the British crew sixth in Group B and out of contention.
Strategist Hannah Mills admitted mistakes proved costly.
"We made a new plan today and got it together, but unfortunately a boat handling error meant the race was done," she said. "We've got a lot of work to do to get ourselves back where we need to be."
Championship leaders Australia's Bonds Flying Roos endured one of their weakest weekends of the season. Although they won one race on Sunday, they finished seventh overall and missed the final.
Despite the disappointment for the home team, Portsmouth attracted a ticketed crowd of around 20,000 over the weekend.
Emirates GBR driver Dylan Fletcher thanked the spectators.
"The fans have been amazing," Fletcher said. "Hopefully we've inspired the next generation a little bit."
The SailGP Championship now moves to Sassnitz for the Germany Sail Grand Prix on 22-23 August.
