Australia secured a decisive win in Race 4 to close the opening day of SailGP Sydney 2026, restoring their first race momentum after a shifting afternoon on Sydney Harbour.
Today’s final fleet race began aggressively, with penalties shaping the contest before the fleet reached the first mark. Germany was penalized pre start following contact with Denmark, while Spain incurred a penalty after an incident with the USA. Protests continued through the opening exchanges as teams fought for position in fading, unstable breeze.
At the first mark the fleet remained tight, with Canada, Sweden and Australia all within seconds of Spain, who was in the lead. No team broke free early, and they remained in this tight formation heading to Mark 2, with the top six still within striking distance as the breeze continued to shift across the course.
The turning point came between the second and fourth marks. Australia committed early to a pressure line that materialised on the course and avoided the lighter patches that stalled several competitors. Their gain was incremental but decisive. By Mark 3 they had reduced the deficit between themselves and Spain significantly, and one leg later they had assumed control.
Germany too delivered one of their strongest middle legs of the day, climbing into second position through disciplined positioning and clean manoeuvres. Team USA built steadily and secured third on the final downwind leg.
Spain, who had controlled the middle races of the afternoon, were unable to convert their recovery into a podium finish and slipped down the order as the breeze faded.
Australia crossed the line in 10:23. Germany finished 58.5 seconds behind, with the USA 1:33 back in third. Sweden secured fourth, Spain fifth, and Great Britain sixth. Italy and Brazil finished further down the order after losing ground late.
With four races complete, the leaderboard remains tightly contested. Australia claimed victories in Races 1 and 4, while Spain secured Races 2 and 3. Germany’s late second place result reshapes the standings heading into Sydney’s Super Sunday.
Day one in Sydney has reinforced a consistent theme. In unstable harbour conditions, controlling the start and committing early to pressure determines the outcome.
Attention now turns to tomorrow, with multiple teams positioned to challenge for overall honours.
Bring on Super Sunday.
2026 SailGP Sydney Race 4 results
| POS | TEAM | DRIVER | POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BONDS Flying Roos | Tom Slingsby | 10 pts |
| 2 | Germany by Deutsche Bank | Erik Heil | 9 pts |
| 3 | U.S. SailGP Team | Taylor Canfield | 8 pts |
| 4 | Artemis | Nathan Outteridge | 7 pts |
| 5 | Los Gallos | Diego Botín | 6 pts |
| 6 | Emirates GBR | Dylan Fletcher | 5 pts |
| 7 | ROCKWOOL Racing | Nicolai Sehested | 4 pts |
| 8 | NorthStar | Giles Scott | 3 pts |
| 9 | Switzerland | Sébastien Schneiter | 2 pts |
| 10 | Red Bull Italy | Phil Robertson | 1 pts |
| 11 | Mubadala Brazil | Martine Grael | 0 pts |
| 12 | Black Foils | Peter Burling | 0 pts |
| 12 | DS Team France | Quentin Delapierre | 0 pts |
Event results after Race 4
| POS | TEAM | DRIVER | POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Gallos | Diego Botín | 32 pts |
| 2 | BONDS Flying Roos | Tom Slingsby | 28 pts |
| 3 | Artemis | Nathan Outteridge | 26 pts |
| 4 | Red Bull Italy | Phil Robertson | 23 pts |
| 4 | Emirates GBR | Dylan Fletcher | 23 pts |
| 6 | U.S. SailGP Team | Taylor Canfield | 22 pts |
| 7 | Switzerland | Sébastien Schneiter | 16 pts |
| 7 | Germany by Deutsche Bank | Erik Heil | 16 pts |
| 9 | ROCKWOOL Racing | Nicolai Sehested | 14 pts |
| 9 | Mubadala Brazil | Martine Grael | 14 pts |
| 11 | NorthStar | Giles Scott | 6 pts |
| 12 | Black Foils | Peter Burling | 0 pts |
| 12 | DS Team France | Quentin Delapierre | 0 pts |
