SailGP’s 2026 season opened in emphatic fashion on Perth waters, with Australia delivering a commanding win in Fleet Race 1 as the championship returned to competition.
After a seven week break since the 2025 finale, the fleet lined up off Fremantle with points reset and pressure restored. Perth hosted the opening event of the new season, welcoming teams with a packed shoreline and temporary grandstands framing the mouth of the Swan River.
Conditions built steadily through the afternoon as the Fremantle Doctor arrived on cue. A clean south westerly pushed wind strength beyond 25 kilometres per hour, creating firm foiling conditions from the opening start.
The 2026 season began with SailGP’s largest fleet to date. Thirteen teams entered the championship, including new team Artemis Racing, led by Olympic gold medallist Nathan Outteridge. Attrition arrived before racing began. Spain were ruled out of the Perth event following a heavy practice impact that caused structural damage. Artemis lost wing trimmer Chris Draper to a facial injury. Australia then replaced injured wing trimmer Ian Jensen with Glenn Ashby, flown in late and stepping straight onto the boat.
With Spain absent, twelve boats started Fleet Race 1.
Brazil were forced out of bounds before the gun. Artemis were penalised at the start and dropped behind the fleet. The lower end of the line proved decisive, offering the shortest run to Mark 1. Australia judged the timing cleanly and led into the first turn.
Once in front, the home team extended immediately. Clean air and stable foiling allowed Australia to open a gap down the opening leg. Canada showed early pace downwind, France settled into the leading group, and the fleet compressed approaching Gate 2.
The race shifted abruptly at the gate.
Switzerland approached on starboard as New Zealand attempted a port crossing. The boats collided heavily, stopping both instantly and scattering debris across the course. Pete Burling narrowly avoided being thrown clear on impact.
Umpires ruled New Zealand at fault for failing to keep clear, disqualifying the team from the race. Switzerland, heavily damaged, were also forced to retire. Both crews were cleared medically, but their races were over.
Ahead, Australia remained unaffected. Ashby settled into the wing role as the Bonds Flying Roos limited manoeuvres and maintained speed. Each leg extended the lead.
France sailed through traffic to secure second place under DS Team France branding, with Quentin Delapierre finding clear air late. The USA finished third, Canada recovered from a penalty to take fourth, and Emirates GBR regained positions on the final downwind leg.
Australia crossed the line comfortably clear, leading from Mark 1 to the finish.
Fleet Race 1 opened the SailGP 2026 season with pace, pressure, and immediate consequence as the championship began in Perth.
Race 1 Results
| Pos | Team | Driver | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BONDS Flying Roos | Tom Slingsby | 10 pts |
| 2 | DS Team France | Quentin Delapierre | 9 pts |
| 3 | U.S. SailGP Team | Taylor Canfield | 8 pts |
| 4 | NorthStar | Giles Scott | 7 pts |
| 5 | Emirates GBR | Dylan Fletcher | 6 pts |
| 6 | ROCKWOOL Racing | Nicolai Sehested | 5 pts |
| 7 | Red Bull Italy | Phil Robertson | 4 pts |
| 8 | Mubadala Brazil | Martine Grael | 3 pts |
| 9 | Artemis | Nathan Outteridge | 2 pts |
| 10 | Germany by Deutsche Bank | Erik Heil | 1 pts |
| 11 | Black Foils | Peter Burling | 0 pts |
| 11 | Los Gallos | 0 pts | |
| 11 | Switzerland | Sébastien Schneiter | 0 pts |
