Valencia victory

US victory at Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia shakes up SailGP standings.

Photography by SailGP

10 September 2026

Taylor Canfield’s US SailGP Team has claimed victory in Valencia, defeating Tom Slingsby’s Bonds Flying Roos and reigniting its push for a place in the Rolex SailGP Championship Grand Final.

The U.S. SailGP Team scored its second event victory of the 2026 season in Valencia, Spain, moving into third place in the championship standings with just three events remaining before the winner-takes-all Grand Final in Abu Dhabi.

Canfield’s all-American crew overcame championship leader Australia in the event final, passing the Bonds Flying Roos on the final upwind leg to secure the win.

General view of spectators in the Grandstand on Race Day 2 of the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain. Sunday 6 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 10 2026 Season. Photo: Felix Diemer for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

United States SailGP Team driven by Taylor Canfield cross the finish line to win the final race on Race Day 2 of the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain. Sunday 6 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 10 2026 Season. Photo: Benjamin Rosewall for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

United States SailGP Team driven by Taylor Canfield crosses the finish line to win the final race on Race Day 2 of the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain. Sunday 6 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 10 2026 Season. Photo: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

Michael Menninger, wing trimmer of United States SailGP Team, and Anna Weis, grinder and jib trimmer of United States SailGP Team, shake hands and celebrate winning the final race on Race Day 2 of the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain. Sunday 6 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 10 2026 Season. Photo: Andrew Baker for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

Slingsby and the Australians crossed the line second, ahead of Red Bull Italy in third and ROCKWOOL Denmark in fourth.

The result strengthened the US team’s bid for the third and final qualifying position for Abu Dhabi, while Australia maintained its commanding position at the top of the championship.

“We knew we had what it took yesterday,” Canfield said. “We came in today with a good plan and went out and executed.

The pressure was on to make some moves in the final, and we did a great job handling the tactics. Everyone on board was spot-on.”

Light conditions shaped Championship Sunday, with teams racing with titanium light-air foils, rudders and the 27.5-metre wingsail.

Hugh Jackman, co-owner of BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team, with the BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team in the team hangar prior to competing in a 6th Sailor Race challenge with Ryan Reynolds joining the NORTHSTAR SailGP Team and Hugh Jackman joining the BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team ahead of the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain. Friday 4 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 10 2026 Season. Photo: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds, co-owners of BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team, on shore after taking part in the 6th sailor race challenge with Hugh Jackman racing on board the BONDS Flying Roos F50 and Ryan Reynolds racing on board the NORTHSTAR F50, ahead of the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain. Friday 4 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 10 2026 Season. Photo: Jason Ludlow for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team driven by Tom Slingsby in action on Race Day 2 of the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain. Sunday 6 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 10 2026 Season. Photo: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, co-owners of BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team, looks on in the technical area following their Water Safety Training prior to the 6th Sailor Race challenge ahead of the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain. Friday 4 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 10 2026 Season. Photo: Jason Ludlow for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

Taylor Canfield, driver of United States SailGP Team, crosses the boat during a manoeuvre as they lead ahead of BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team on Race Day 2 of the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain. Sunday 6 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 10 2026 Season. Photo: Andrew Baker for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

Red Bull Italy emerged as another major performer, winning its Group A race to reach an event final for the first time since joining SailGP in 2025.

For Spain’s Los Gallos, however, the home event ended in disappointment. Diego Botín’s team had led overnight but finished last in its final Group B qualifying race and missed the final.

Flying Roos let victory slip

Australia initially appeared on course for another event win.

The Bonds Flying Roos led around the first mark and controlled much of the final before the Americans closed the gap in the light and difficult conditions.

A crucial decision at the final bottom-mark gate opened the door for Canfield’s crew, which took advantage and moved ahead of the Australians.

Slingsby conceded the decision had proved costly.

95 percent of the final was good for us,” he said. “We had a great start … then that last bottom-mark gate decision, in hindsight, I look at it as an own goal.”

Despite missing what would have been their sixth event victory of the season, the Flying Roos remain firmly in control of the championship.

“We’re strong in light winds, we’re strong in heavy winds, we just feel good everywhere,” Slingsby said.

Aerial view of United States SailGP Team celebrating the victory on Race Day 2 of the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain. Sunday 6 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 10 2026 Season. Photo: Felix Diemer for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

United States SailGP Team driven by Taylor Canfield hold the winners trophy wheel as they celebrate on the podium with Barons De Rothschild Champagne after they won the final race on Race Day 2 of the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain. Sunday 6 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 10 2026 Season. Photo: Jason Ludlow for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

Grand Final battle tightens

With only three Grands Prix remaining after Valencia, competition for the final Grand Final qualifying position is intensifying.

The US SailGP Team has moved into third overall, leapfrogging Artemis Racing and Emirates GBR. Just five points separate the three teams in the battle for the final Abu Dhabi berth.

At the top of the standings, the Bonds Flying Roos hold a 17-point advantage over Spain’s Los Gallos.

The championship now heads to Geneva for the final European event of the 2026 season.

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