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HomeSailGP 2025SailGP: Portsmouth 2025SailGP Portsmouth 2025: Racing heats up, tickets sell out, and behind-the-scenes stories emerge

SailGP Portsmouth 2025: Racing heats up, tickets sell out, and behind-the-scenes stories emerge

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As the F50 fleet prepares for SailGP Portsmouth 2025, grandstand tickets are almost sold out, and new rudder tech is nearly ready. Behind the scenes, the sport’s human toll and next-generation opportunities come into focus. From the debut of SailGP Uncharted to internship calls from New Zealand, the lead-up to Portsmouth reveals the full spectrum of SailGP life—grit, glamour, and growth. All eyes remain firmly fixed on the Solent ahead of next weekend’s showdown.

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Full throttle toward SailGP Portsmouth 2025

SailGP Portsmouth 2025 is already delivering excitement before a single race has begun. With just days to go before the high-stakes weekend on 19–20 July, ticketed viewing areas are now close to fully sold out. Fans keen to catch the F50 action from the grandstands or from spectator boats are urged to act fast, with final tickets likely to disappear in the coming days.

That buzz reflects the scale of the event. Emirates GBR is preparing to race in front of a home crowd, while the league’s top three teams, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand—are separated by just two points. Racing takes place daily from 4pm to 5:30am (our time), offering a tight 90-minute window for action, drama, and leaderboard shifts.

On the water, the technology is still evolving. A fresh generation of high-speed rudders and rudder elevators is nearly ready, designed to further refine the F50s’ speed and control. Their introduction signals a continual push for marginal gains in a sport where fractions of seconds define podiums.

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New rudders nearly ready for Portsmouth. Photo credit: Russell Coutts.

From the front line to behind the scenes: A deeper look at life in SailGP

While the action on the water is full of adrenaline, there’s a deeper story unfolding behind the scenes. SailGP Uncharted, the new video series launched this week, lifts the lid on the mental and emotional strain facing top-tier sailors. Competing in a physically punishing, globally touring circuit brings relentless pressure—not just to perform, but to figure out what’s next.

For the veterans of the fleet—those who have weathered multiple seasons or even Olympic campaigns—the demands of high-performance sport aren’t just physical. Age, injury, and the constant need to stay sharp raise difficult questions: When is the right time to step away? What roles exist once you’re no longer a starting helm or grinder? How do you maintain your sense of purpose when youthful pace starts to fade?

UNCHARTED: Episode 1

It’s a story common to many sports, but sailing’s niche status and international structure make that transition harder to navigate. For many, finding a next chapter within coaching, design, or team operations is part of the journey—but not everyone makes that leap easily.

Looking to the future: internships, youth

At the other end of the spectrum, the SailGP ecosystem is opening its doors to fresh talent. The New Zealand SailGP Team has announced a call for interns for the final leg of the season, which includes events in Sassnitz, St Tropez, Geneva, Cadiz, and Abu Dhabi. They’re seeking 18–24 year-olds interested in gaining work experience within the sailing industry.

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BlackFoils / Credit: SailGP

Ideal candidates will be proactive, eager to learn, and based in one of the listed host cities. It’s a rare chance to see elite sport from the inside—whether in logistics, media, technical operations or shore crew support. For young people wanting a pathway into the industry, SailGP is making clear that it’s serious about building future opportunities.

Learn more: https://sailgp.com/teams/new-zealand

Team updates across the board

The build-up to SailGP Portsmouth 2025 also sees various teams touching down and reflecting on past events.

The Denmark SailGP Team is now in Plymouth, UK, gearing up for the action and reminding fans: “It’s been more than two years since we raced in Britain… and we can’t wait.” Their new-look black boat will be hard to miss.

Martine Grael and Brazil historic win in SailGP New York // Photo credit : SailGP

Meanwhile, Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team is still riding high from their historic win in New York. With only three crew aboard in New York (just like New Zealand in the first two races), the team pulled off a landmark race victory. “It was a deep connection with the ocean and our fans,” the team shared. “The NY leg was unforgettable.”

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Final countdown

The lead-up to SailGP Portsmouth 2025 is far more than just boat prep and wind checks. It’s a convergence of technology, talent, fan engagement, and real human stories—some inspiring, others sobering. Whether you’re in the stands, on the water, or following from afar, this stop on the SailGP calendar offers one of the richest narratives yet.

SailGP racing league drafts Oracle Cloud technology advances

From sold-out crowds to start-line pressure, and from rising stars to veteran transitions, Portsmouth has it all. The racing begins in just a few days, and it looks set to define the season.

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Kirsten Thomas
Kirsten Thomas
Kirsten enjoys sailing and is a passionate writer based in coastal New Zealand. Combining her two passions, she crafts vivid narratives and insightful articles about sailing adventures, sharing her experiences and knowledge with fellow enthusiasts.

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