Spain strikes again

“It was an amazing weekend, with the conditions we had – very windy, with a small wing, which we love,” Spain driver Diego Botín said.

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 builds momentum

Artemis finished second after a consistent regatta in which the team never placed lower than third. The Swedish crew collected 19 points across the event, more than any other team on the leaderboard.

Driver Nathan Outteridge said the result reflected the team’s growing consistency after reaching consecutive finals and finishing runner-up in both.

“We said we’ve got to start working on our consistency, and to get two finals in a row now, and two seconds, is really pleasing,” Outteridge said.

“The final could have gone either way. We had the lead, we had a really good start, and it’s always tough when you get the choice of which top mark you want to take and the boat behind goes the other way and passes you.

“The fact that we’re in the mix and doing all the basic things really well is really good.”

Canada’s NorthStar SailGP Team finished third, reaching its second event final of the season, while the Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team placed fourth.

The result provided further encouragement for Swiss driver Sébastien Schneiter as the team continues to pursue its first event victory.

Black Foils miss Portsmouth repeat

The fleet was split into two groups, with teams contesting two qualifying races each using the high-speed 18-metre wingsail, rudders and foils suited to the stronger conditions.

New Zealand’s Black Foils struggled in Group A despite a strong opening day. Two penalties in the fourth race proved costly, leaving the defending Portsmouth champions fifth in their group.

Emirates GBR also missed the final after an inconsistent home event.

The British crew produced a strong start in its final qualifying race but came off the foils at the first mark and recovered only to sixth, ending its campaign in the group stage.

Strategist Hannah Mills said errors around the course had prevented the team from converting its improved starts into stronger results.

“We made a new plan today and got it together, but unfortunately the second race was a bit tricky with the Swiss boat,” Mills said.

“We were so close to each other going around that mark, and a boat-handling error from us meant that the race was done.

In the first race we made too many mistakes, particularly approaching the bottom marks. We’ve got a lot of work to do to get ourselves back where we need to be.”

Flying Roos endure difficult weekend

Championship leaders the Bonds Flying Roos finished seventh overall after a difficult weekend.

Australia’s only race win came on Sunday, but it was not enough to secure a place in the final after a campaign that fell below the team’s usual standard.

The Portsmouth event nevertheless produced some of the most competitive racing of the season, with each of the 10 group races won by a different team.

A ticketed crowd of 20,000 attended across the weekend, providing strong home support for Emirates GBR despite the team’s early exit.

“The fans have been amazing, and all credit to the sport, despite us not delivering the result they wanted,” Emirates GBR driver Dylan Fletcher said.

It was amazing to see all the kids with their T-shirts on. Thanks for coming down, and hopefully we’ve inspired the next generation a little bit.”

The Rolex SailGP Championship will continue with the ROCKWOOL Germany Sail Grand Prix in Sassnitz from 22 to 23 August 2026.

sailGP.com