BlackFoils hit the doldrums while the Flying Roos hit back with Cádiz Race 3 win

Flying Roos roar back

After finishing 9th and 12th in the opening two races, Australia’s Flying Roos produced the comeback they desperately needed.

Slingsby timed the start well, kept the boat foiling in the chop, and capitalised when New Zealand stalled with a foil control issue. The Aussies took the inside line, surged clear, and never looked back — crossing in 8 minutes 49 seconds, the fastest winning time of the day.

“Breathe a sigh of relief — Australia are back in the game,” the commentary observed as Slingsby steadied his crew under pressure.

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The SailGP fleet with BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team chasing Spain SailGP Team, Red Bull Italy SailGP Team, USA SailGP Team and Germany SailGP Team presented by Deutsche Bank on Race Day 1 of the DP World Spain Sail Grand Prix held in Cadiz, Spain Saturday 4 October 2025. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 11 2025 Season. // Photo credit: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP.

Denmark and Germany stay sharp

Denmark backed up their Race 2 win with another podium, finishing second in 9:11. Nikolai Sehested’s crew have now delivered two top-two results in three starts, making them the most consistent team on Day One.

Germany also showed grit. Despite multiple early penalties — including a boundary call and contact at Mark 1 — Erik Heil’s team clawed back to third in 9:37. Their 82% foil time was the best of the fleet, underlining their improving stability.

ROCKWOOL Denmark SailGP Team helmed by Nicolai Sehested leads Germany SailGP Team presented by Deutsche Bank helmed by Erik Heil, Canada NorthStar SailGP Team helmed by Giles Scott and Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team helmed by Dylan Fletcher and the SailGP fleet on Race Day 1 of the DP World Spain Sail Grand Prix held in Cadiz, Spain Saturday 4 October 2025. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 11 2025 Season. // Photo credit: Samo Vidic for SailGP.

Black Foils’ heartbreak

For New Zealand, Race 3 began perfectly. Burling’s Black Foils timed their run out of the middle of the line, drove over Emirates GBR and Australia, and led at Mark 1. But then disaster struck.

A suspected hydraulic fault or foil control error dropped both hulls into the water, costing four places in one leg. Blair Tuke could be heard urging calm as new flight controller Leo Takahashi battled to recover lift.

From potential race winners, the Kiwis slid to mid-fleet before salvaging sixth place in 10:09. With their top speed of 57.5 km/h, they were the fastest boat in the race, but consistency was missing.

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Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team helmed by Dylan Fletcher leads Germany SailGP Team presented by Deutsche Bank helmed by Erik Heil, USA SailGP Team helmed by Taylor Canfield, Canada NorthStar SailGP Team helmed by Giles Scott and New Zealand SailGP Team helmed by Peter Burling in front of spectators on the Sea Wall on Race Day 1 of the DP World Spain Sail Grand Prix held in Cadiz, Spain Saturday 4 October 2025. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 11 2025 Season. // Photo credit: Samo Vidic for SailGP.

Mid-fleet movers

Switzerland (9:39) and Emirates GBR (9:48) both produced solid if unspectacular races, banking points that keep them in the overall fight.

Canada held seventh, while France finished eighth after a string of unsuccessful protests. Spain, roared on by the Cádiz crowd, slipped to ninth, their podium momentum from Race 2 lost.

Trouble at the back

The struggles continued for Brazil, USA, and Italy. All three teams failed to complete the full six legs, finishing minutes behind the leaders. Brazil in particular fell apart after showing flashes of speed earlier in the day.

One more fleet race today

Race 3 reshuffled the pack once again. Australia’s win keeps their season alive, Denmark’s consistency makes them the form boat of the weekend, and Germany’s improvement is striking.

New Zealand’s recovery to sixth softens the blow of their technical mishap, while Emirates GBR remain competitive after their opening win. Spain, the USA, and Brazil, however, face mounting pressure to deliver in the final race of Day One.