If you thought sailing was just about leisurely cruises and deck chairs, think again. The SailGP scene is basically Formula 1 on water—high speeds, high drama, and occasionally, high winds that literally stop the show. Case in point: the ROCKWOOL France Sail Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez, where Emirates GBR snatched the win after one wild day of racing.
One Day, One Winner
Friday came with drama right from the start—those famous Mistral winds were in full force, tossing the foiling catamarans across the water like they were auditioning for an action movie. Emirates GBR, helmed by Dylan Fletcher, absolutely crushed it, bagging the win while fans on the Saint-Tropez seawall went wild.
Saturday? Not so much. Severe weather warnings rolled in, and SailGP wisely said, “Nope, not today.” Racing was canceled, and just like that, day one’s results stuck. Lucky for Emirates GBR, that meant champagne showers all around.
The Season Gets Spicy
This wasn’t just about one trophy—it’s shaken up the entire 2025 leaderboard. The Brits now sit in second place, perfectly positioned for the $2 million, winner-takes-all Grand Final showdown in Abu Dhabi on November 29–30. Hannah Mills, the team’s strategist, summed it up best: “It’s amazing to win… anything can happen in the last three events.” Translation: buckle up, it’s about to get real.
Meanwhile, Pete Burling’s Black Foils kept things tight, finishing second in France and sneaking back into the overall season lead by a single point. Tom Slingsby’s BONDS Flying Roos weren’t quite hopping this time—they slipped into third after a rough fifth-place finish.
Underdogs Steal the Spotlight
Not all the glory went to the usual suspects. Germany SailGP Team celebrated their best-ever finish in fourth place, which, in SailGP speak, is like finally finding the turbo button. And then there’s Red Bull Italy—brand new to the league—who won their very first fleet race. Rookie vibes? Not anymore.
What’s Next: Geneva Calling
If Saint-Tropez left you wanting more, don’t worry. The SailGP caravan now heads to Geneva on September 20–21 for the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix. Expect rivalries, revenge, and possibly some fresh plot twists as teams chase precious points ahead of the Abu Dhabi finale.
So, whether you’re a hardcore sailing fan or just here for the high-speed chaos and million-dollar drama, the road to Abu Dhabi is officially wide open.
