Everything you need to know about the world's fastest and most exciting sail racing championship
The world's most exciting sail racing championship, featuring identical high-performance F50 catamarans capable of speeds exceeding 100 km/h. Founded in 2018, the league brings together elite sailors from around the world to compete across iconic waterfront venues.
The F50 is a revolutionary foiling catamaran that flies above the water on hydrofoils. Explore the blueprint below to understand this incredible machine.
From Portsmouth onward, qualifying splits the fleet in two. Group A races seven boats, Group B races six, and the groups are seeded ABBA off the most recent event standings so neither draw is stacked. Six races run per race day. The split was introduced after a season in which thirteen-boat starts produced three serious collisions, and it keeps first-mark roundings survivable.
Groups: 7 + 6 · Duration: 15-20 min · Points: 1st = 10pts
The top two boats from each qualifying group advance to a single sudden-death race. Four boats, one start, no second chances. The four-boat final replaced the old three-boat podium race when group racing became the standard qualifying format.
Teams: Top 2 per group · Stakes: Winner takes all · Format: Single race
Points accumulated across all events determine overall standings. Top teams qualify for the Grand Final in Abu Dhabi, where the season champion is crowned and wins the $2 million prize.
Events: 13 GPs · Prize: $2 Million · Grand Final: Abu Dhabi
Three things are different this season, and two of them came from the same problem: a thirteen-boat fleet on a stadium course.
Umpires still issue event penalties the way they always have. What changed is the exchange rate into the championship. A seven-point event penalty at Perth became a three-point championship deduction. The field has compressed to the point where one bad afternoon could otherwise decide a season.
The F50 class rule now requires two crew members stationed at the rear of the boat at all times, and the wing trimmer cannot be one of them. It sits alongside the standing requirement that a female athlete is on board regardless of crew size. Between them, the two rules forced several teams to rethink who sails where.
Each F50 is sailed by a crew of five elite athletes, each with specialized roles:
• Flight Controller: Adjusts the cant (angle) of the hydrofoils in real-time to maintain stable flight and optimal height above the water. This role demands split-second reactions and incredible feel for the boat.
• Helm: Steers the boat and calls the tactical plays, reading the wind, waves, and competitors while controlling the boat at extreme speeds.
• Wing Trimmer: Controls the massive wing sail, constantly adjusting its shape and angle to maximize power and speed. This is one of the most physically demanding positions in all of sailing.
• Grinder: Powers the hydraulic systems that control the foils and wing through intense physical effort. Grinders are often Olympic medalists or elite athletes from other sports.
• Strategist: Reads the race course, weather patterns, and competitor movements to inform tactical decisions. Often a former helm or experienced navigator.
All crew members must work in perfect synchronization, communicating constantly as they push the boat to its limits while racing inches apart from competitors at extreme speeds.
SailGP features national teams from around the world, creating a unique blend of national pride and elite sailing competition. Current teams include:
• Australia: Led by Olympic champion Tom Slingsby, three-time SailGP champions (Seasons 1-3) and current Season 6 points leaders, known for aggressive tactics and precision execution.
• Great Britain: Emirates GBR features Dylan Fletcher and brings British sailing heritage to the cutting edge of the sport.
• New Zealand: Peter Burling's team combines America's Cup experience with foiling expertise, always a threat on the water.
• France, Spain, USA, Canada, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Brazil, and Sweden: Each team showcases the best sailors from their nation, bringing unique styles and fierce national pride.
The season culminates in a winner-takes-all Grand Final where only the top boats compete for the championship trophy and a multi-million dollar prize purse.
Each team brings its own sailing culture, sponsors, and passionate supporters to the global competition.
SailGP races take place in stunning waterfront locations around the world, chosen for their iconic backdrops and optimal sailing conditions:
• Sydney Harbour, Chicago Navy Pier, San Francisco Bay, Dubai Harbour, Copenhagen, and other spectacular venues provide dramatic settings for the racing.
• Races are held close to shore, allowing spectators incredible views of the action as boats fly past at breathtaking speeds.
• Each venue presents unique challenges: shifty winds in urban harbors, ocean swells at coastal venues, and varying water conditions that test the crews' adaptability.
• The global calendar spans multiple continents, with regional clusters designed to minimize the championship's carbon footprint while showcasing the sport to diverse audiences.
The close-to-shore racing format means spectators can watch the action unfold from beaches, grandstands, and hospitality areas, while millions more tune in via global broadcast partnerships.
SailGP is more than just racing—it is committed to being the most sustainable and purpose-driven sports league on the planet. The Impact League runs alongside the racing championship, ranking teams on their sustainability performance.
• Powered by Nature: The league's goal is to be powered entirely by clean energy, with innovations like the "Purpose Pioneer" boat powering equipment and broadcast operations using battery systems charged by portable solar panels.
• Carbon Positive Goal: SailGP works to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than it produces, measuring and offsetting emissions from travel, logistics, and operations.
• Ocean Health Initiatives: Teams participate in citizen science programs, collecting data on microplastics, ocean temperature, and marine health during racing events.
• Legacy Programs: Each event leaves a lasting positive impact through community sailing programs, coastal restoration projects, and educational initiatives.
The winner of the Impact League receives a bonus championship point, making sustainability a competitive advantage and demonstrating that elite sport and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.