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Saturday, May 09, 2026
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Slingsby & Botin Locked in Dead Heat After Dramatic Day
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The Rolex SailGP Championship returned to the turquoise waters of the Great Sound, delivering a masterclass in high-speed drama as Spain and Australia emerged locked in a dead heat at the top of the leaderboard. Under a canopy of brilliant sunshine, the fourth event of the season provided a grueling test of both nerve and technical precision for the world's most elite foiling fleet.
The day began with heartbreak for the Swedish outfit, Artemis. Despite the near-perfect conditions, the team was forced to withdraw before the first gun had even fired. A mechanical issue during the pre-race warm-up proved terminal for their Saturday ambitions, leaving Nathan Outteridge’s crew as frustrated spectators on what promised to be a breakout day for the new team.
With one boat sidelined, Taylor Canfield and the U.S. SailGP Team seized the initiative in the opening race. Canfield dominated the first encounter to claim victory, successfully holding off a persistent challenge from Giles Scott in the Canada NorthStar boat. Erik Heil secured third for Germany, followed by Diego Botin of Spain and Dylan Fletcher for Emirates GBR.
In the second race, the legendary Tom Slingsby reminded the fleet why the BONDS Flying Roos remain the three-time champions. Slingsby executed a clinical tactical play at the first mark to seize a lead he would not relinquish. Denmark’s Nicolai Sehested chased hard to secure second place, while Diego Botin signaled his intent with a solid third. Giles Scott and Taylor Canfield rounded out the top five.
As the wind shifted slightly for the third race, it was Los Gallos who read the Great Sound best. Diego Botin delivered a masterclass in foiling control to snap up the win just ahead of a surging Slingsby. Erik Heil continued a remarkably consistent afternoon by claiming his second third-place finish of the day. Switzerland’s Sebastien Schneiter took fourth, just ahead of the ever-present Giles Scott.
The final race of the day saw Tom Slingsby bookend the afternoon with his second victory, but the real story was the emergence of Phil Robertson and the Red Bull Italy crew who surged through the pack to claim second. Taylor Canfield kept himself in the title hunt with a vital third-place finish, while Botin and Fletcher secured the remaining top-five spots.
As the fleet heads into Championship Sunday, the standings could not be tighter at the top. Both Diego Botin and Tom Slingsby sit on 32 points, meaning tomorrow’s fleet races will be a high-stakes duel for a spot in the winner-takes-all final. Taylor Canfield remains within striking distance on 28 points, while Erik Heil and Giles Scott sit tied for fourth with 25 points apiece. With lighter and more unpredictable winds forecast for tomorrow, the technical precision of the Spanish and Australian crews will be tested to the absolute limit.
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Friday, May 08, 2026
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Five Key Talking Points for the Bermuda Sail Grand Prix
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As SailGP returns to Bermuda’s iconic Great Sound for a fourth time, the stage is set for a weekend of high-speed drama and tactical intrigue. With the leaderboard tightening and the weather gods threatening to intervene, here is everything you need to know ahead of the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix.
Four events into the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship, a natural order is emerging—and sat comfortably at the top are the BONDS Flying Roos. Tom Slingsby’s three-time champions are currently operating at a different level, boasting an impressive 2, 1, 5, 1 scoreline.
This consistency has handed them a healthy seven-point lead over current title holders Emirates GBR, with the U.S. SailGP Team a further point behind. While the "usual suspects" occupy the top half of the table, the pressure is mounting on the likes of Germany, Italy, NorthStar, and Switzerland to find their form before the season slips away.
Despite an early-season setback in Perth, Spain’s Los Gallos are on a roll. Diego Botin’s outfit were winners the last time SailGP took to the Great Sound during Season 4, and they head into this weekend buoyed by a string of top results.
They face stiff competition from Emirates GBR, who won in Bermuda in spectacular fashion back in Season 2. However, the Brits arrive with a point to prove following an uncharacteristic last-place finish in Rio last month. The only other team to have ever tasted victory in Bermuda? Slingsby’s Flying Roos.
With the Black Foils confirmed to be out of action for both Bermuda and New York, the transfer market has been busy. Strategist Liv Mackay joins DS Automobiles Team France in place of Manon Audinet, while the legendary Glenn Ashby stands in for injured wing trimmer Leigh McMillan.
In a further twist of the roster, Black Foils grinder Marcus Hansen has been loaned to ROCKWOOL Racing to cover for Luke Payne for the next two events, ensuring that even with the New Zealand boat sidelined, their talent remains on the racecourse.
The weather gods are planning to keep the teams on their toes with a varied—and at times chaotic—forecast. Weather guru Chris Bedford is predicting a stable day of fast foiling on Saturday, but Sunday looks set to be a lighter, more patchy affair. In SailGP, these unpredictable shifts can either catch a frontrunner out or provide a golden opportunity for a trailing team to pounce.
Before racing begins in earnest, the fleet hits the water midday Friday for official practice. The forecast is looking so "punchy" that officials have already made the call to split the fleet into two groups and utilize the smallest 18m wings.
The Great Sound can be unforgiving in high winds; fans will remember the U.S. team’s dramatic capsize during practice here two seasons ago. With the small wings out and the adrenaline high, there is every chance we could see more high-stakes drama before the first official points are even on the board.
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Thursday, May 07, 2026
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Bermudian Duo Earn All-Conference Honours
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Bermudian sailors Jordan Vieira and Paul Rodrigues Jr. have been named to the 2025-26 All-Southern Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association (SAISA) Second Team, marking a significant milestone for the Eckerd College sailing programme.
The Southern Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association (SAISA) announced its annual superlatives this week, with four members of the Florida-based Eckerd College squad receiving recognition for their performances over the fall and spring seasons.
Jordan Vieira and Paul Rodrigues Jr. were both selected as Second Team All-SAISA in the Open Skipper category. The duo, who have become mainstays of the Tritons' competitive rotation, were joined by teammates Avery Guck and Tia Soultanakis, who earned honours in the Crew category.
The all-conference nods follow a string of clinical displays by the Bermudian pairing throughout the 2025-26 circuit.
SAISA Open Fleet Race Championships: Vieira and Rodrigues Jr. powered Eckerd to a second-place overall finish among 18 schools. Rodrigues Jr. secured the best B-Division score of the regatta, highlighted by five first-place finishes.
Truxtun Umsted Regatta: The pair helped the Tritons to a sixth-place finish in a premier national field, with Vieira’s boat finishing fourth in the B Division.
SAISA Top Six Fleet Race: In a tactical battle in Charleston, the duo led the team to a fourth-place finish against the conference's elite.
The individual accolades provide a vital boost for Eckerd as the programme continues its ascent within the South Atlantic region. Managed by a volunteer committee, the All-SAISA selections are based on a comprehensive review of results and tactical consistency across the academic year.
For Vieira and Rodrigues Jr., the recognition cements their status as two of the most reliable skippers in collegiate sailing, providing a strong foundation for the Tritons as they prepare for the final challenges of the spring campaign.
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Thursday, May 07, 2026
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Twelve High Speed Catamarans Set for Great Sound
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The crystal-clear waters of the Great Sound are bracing for the arrival of the world’s most elite foiling fleet as the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix takes center stage this weekend.
On May 9th - 10th, the fifth event of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship will see twelve high-performance F50 catamarans battling for supremacy in what has become one of the most prestigious stops on the global circuit.
The world’s best sailors have touched down in Bermuda, with several line-up changes adding a layer of tactical intrigue to the weekend's racing.
Led by the legendary Nathan Outteridge, the Swedish outfit features wing trimmer Chris Draper and flight controller Andy Maloney. Saul Vassalo steps in as data analyst for this event, replacing Robbie Urwin.
The dominant Australians remain a formidable force. Driver Tom Slingsby is supported by a settled core including Iain Jensen, Jason Waterhouse, Sam Newton, and Kinley Fowler.
Quentin Delapierre captains the French charge. Notably, Erika Reineke joins the squad as reserve strategist, stepping in for Marie Riou, as the team looks to climb the season standings.
The British team, under driver Dylan Fletcher and wing trimmer Stuart Bithell, brings a wealth of experience. Strategy is spearheaded by the decorated Hannah Mills.
Erik Kosegarten-Heil takes the wheel for the German squad. Their line-up features Kevin Peponnet on the wing and James Wierzbowski controlling the flight.
The Spanish "Gallos" are led by driver Diego Botin and wing trimmer Florian Trittel. They remain a threat in light-air conditions, with Joel Rodríguez handling flight duties.
Martine Grael continues to break ground as driver for the Brazilian entry. She is supported by a high-calibre crew including Pietro Sibello and strategist Paul Goodison.
Giles Scott leads the Canadian contingent into the Great Sound. The crew features Paul Campbell-James and flight controller Billy Gooderham, aiming for a podium breakthrough.
Phil Robertson takes the helm for Italy, known for his aggressive starting style. Maelle Frascari joins the team for this leg as a reserve athlete, replacing Matteo Celon.
Denmark's Nicolai Sehested brings a hard-racing reputation to Bermuda. His crew includes Tom Johnson and strategist Kahena Kunze, as they look to maintain their status as consistent frontrunners.
Sébastien Schneiter drivers the Swiss entry, supported by Arnaud Psarofaghis and flight controller Bryan Mettraux. The young team continues to show rapid development on the foiling circuit.
Taylor Canfield leads the home-continent charge. The American roster features Michael Menninger and Hans Henken, with Anna Weis bringing power to the grinding team.
With a forecast of breezier conditions expected on the Great Sound, the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix promises to be a test of both nerve and technical precision.
As the 2026 championship reaches its midpoint, every point in Bermuda counts toward the million-dollar Grand Final. For the residents and fans lining the shores of the Great Sound, the countdown to high-speed action is officially over.
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Wednesday, May 06, 2026
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Airforce Fly High as 29 Boats Contest Week 4
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Airforce secured a hard-fought victory in the fourth week of Wednesday Night Sailing, overcoming a 29-boat fleet in the waters of Hamilton Harbour.
In a crowded field hosted by the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club, the battle for the top spot was ultimately decided by the handicap. While Crossfire was the first boat to physically cross the finish line with an elapsed time of 1:00:57, their corrected time of 1:07:13 saw them pushed down to 10th place overall.
The night belonged to Airforce, who crossed the line in 1:07:11. Once the handicaps were applied, their corrected time of 1:03:35 was enough to secure first place on the night.
The race for the remaining podium positions was a close affair. Back in Black claimed second place with a corrected time of 1:04:32, followed closely by Scatteration, who rounded out the top three with a time of 1:04:44.
The competition remained fierce further down the leaderboard, with Menace securing fourth place with a corrected time of 1:05:39, and Yabsta finished just five seconds adrift of fourth, completing the top five with a time of 1:05:44.
With nearly 30 boats taking to the start line, the Wednesday Night series continues to prove its status as a staple of the local sailing calendar.
Wednesday Night Sailing Race Day 4
1:03:35 Airforce
1:04:32 Back in Black
1:04:44 Scatteraction
1:05:39 Menace
1:05:44 Yabsta
1:06:47 Tiburon
1:06:51 RS 21 3 LEACH
1:07:01 Peppercorn
1:07:01 Windfire
1:07:13 Crossfire
1:07:37 Solna II
1:08:07 Encore
1:08:41 Celerity
1:08:43 Jitterbug
1:08:48 Lorato Makato
1:08:56 Fat Tuesday
1:08:57 RS 21 2 REDBURN
1:09:24 Stormy
1:09:27 RS 21 4 REID
1:19:21 RS 21 6 SAVAGE
1:10:11 Lix
1:10:14 RS 21 1 NEAME
1:10:39 RS 21 5 FRANK
1:10:40 Privateer
1:12:16 Blitz
1:15:41 Down Time
1:15:22 Impulse
1:19:50 Severn
DNF Passion
DNF Grace
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