The Rolex SailGP Championship combines cutting-edge foiling tech, iconic global venues, elite athletes and record-breaking speeds to create the most exciting racing on water. Rival teams from the Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland and USA battle it out at iconic venues around the world in short, intense races for a total prize pot of $12.8 million. Teams compete in identical hydrofoiling F50 catamarans that fly above the water at electrifying speeds of over 100 km/h.
The 2026 SailGP Season exploded into life this past weekend at the inaugural Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix, where the legendary “Fremantle Doctor” breeze lived up to its reputation. In a high-stakes weekend defined by carnage and comebacks, defending champions Emirates GBR, led by Dylan Fletcher, claimed the first trophy of the year. Despite sitting in fifth after a chaotic Day 1, the Brits mastered the meter-high waves on Sunday, winning two fleet races before defeating the home-crowd favorites, Tom Slingsbyβs BONDS Flying Roos (Australia), and DS Automobiles Team France in a winner-takes-all Grand Final.
For Canadian fans, the story of the weekend was the resilience of the NorthStar SailGP Team. While a series of mid-fleet finishes kept them out of the podium final, driver Giles Scott and his crew proved they have the pace to beat anyone. In the seventh and final qualifying race, NorthStar executed a tactical masterclass, leading from start to finish to cross the line with a massive 20-second lead over the worldβs best.
π Day 1: Chaos in the “Fremantle Doctor”
The season opener began with massive drama as 12 teams faced 25 km/h winds and choppy waters. The headline story was a high-speed collision between Switzerland and New Zealand in Race 1, which effectively ended the Kiwis’ weekend due to severe hull damage. Amidst the carnage, the new Swedish team Artemis shocked the veterans by winning two races, ending the day tied at the top with the USA and France.
- Race 1: Won by Australia. High-speed collision between NZL and SUI.
- Race 2: Won by France. Quentin Delapierre leads from start to finish.
- Race 3: Won by Artemis (Sweden). Nathan Outteridge marks his return with a win.
- Race 4: Won by Artemis (Sweden). The Swedes secure the overnight lead.
π Day 2: Survival of the Fittest
Conditions intensified on Sunday, with 45 km/h gusts forcing teams to use the small 18-meter wings. Emirates GBR put on a masterclass in heavy-air boat handling, surging from 5th place to the top of the leaderboard. This session also saw a historic moment for NorthStar Canada, who dominated the final fleet race to prove they are a force to be reckoned with this season.
- Race 5: Won by Emirates GBR. The Brits begin their charge.
- Race 6: Won by Emirates GBR. Back-to-back wins secure their spot in the final.
- Race 7: Won by NorthStar Canada. Giles Scott wins by a massive 20-second margin.
π The Grand Final: Emirates GBR Masterclass
The three-boat final featured Emirates GBR, Australia, and France. The Australians were hindered early after a boundary penalty at the start, leaving them to play catch-up. Emirates GBR seized the lead at the first mark and never looked back, maintaining a 100% fly-time in the meter-high waves to claim the first event title of 2026.
Event Leaderboard
| Rank | Team | Points |
| 1 | Emirates GBR | 10 |
| 2 | BONDS Flying Roos (AUS) | 9 |
| 3 | DS Automobiles Team France | 8 |
| 4 | Artemis (SWE) | 7 |
| 5 | U.S. SailGP Team | 6 |
| 6 | NorthStar Canada | 5 |
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