Race 5: Emirates GBR rebound
The first race of the day was all about recovery. After Saturday’s devastating collision with the USA, Emirates GBR answered in the best way possible — a win. Dylan Fletcher’s crew led early, but the finish was anything but straightforward.
As the wind dropped, the British came off the foils metres from the line. Rockwool Denmark and Australia closed in, but GBR limped across first in a tense finish. Denmark took second, Australia third, while the Black Foils slumped deep in the pack.
Race 6: Australia take control
The Flying Roos reasserted themselves in Race 6. Tom Slingsby’s crew read the breeze superbly, splitting at the right moment and charging past Emirates GBR to seize the lead. Germany thrilled their home fans with third, while New Zealand could only manage fifth — steady, but not enough to stay in the hunt for the final.
Race 7: Swiss surprise
With everything on the line, Race 7 delivered an upset. Switzerland, winless all season, found their form and sailed away from the fleet to claim a breakthrough victory. Emirates GBR finished second, Australia third, while France did just enough in fourth to secure their place in the three-boat final.
Germany’s seventh place ended their home final dream, while the Black Foils crossed fifth — another mid-fleet result that confirmed their elimination.
The Grand Final: France rise to glory
The showdown was set: Australia, Emirates GBR, and France for the regatta crown. Britain started best, flying off the line and rounding the first mark in control. But as they sailed into a light patch, the foils dropped and their speed vanished.
France pounced. Quentin Delapierre’s crew surged through, handled every shift with precision, and held Australia at bay in the closing legs. Crossing first, they claimed their first SailGP win since Season 3. Australia settled for second but extended their season lead, while Emirates GBR finished third after a promising start unravelled.
Black Foils and Germany left wanting
For New Zealand, Sassnitz was a weekend of frustration. Despite flashes of speed, the Black Foils were unable to string together consistent top finishes, ending mid-fleet and missing the final.
Germany’s fairytale start on Saturday proved their potential, but on Sunday they lacked the stability needed to make the cut. Their home crowd, though, roared them on all the way.
Sassnitz makes its mark — and eyes turn to Saint-Tropez
Sassnitz’s debut SailGP regatta will be remembered as one of the most volatile and dramatic weekends in the circuit’s history. Six different winners across seven fleet races, a record-breaking speed run by Denmark, and a bow-shattering collision all set the stage for France’s redemption in the Grand Final.
Now attention turns to the glittering Côte d’Azur. In less than a month, the SailGP fleet heads to Saint-Tropez — a venue known for its flat water, glamour, and high-speed racing. After Sassnitz’s chaos, the pressure is on Australia to defend their season lead, France to prove their resurgence is real, and the Black Foils to rediscover the consistency that has made them perennial contenders.
Saint-Tropez has delivered fireworks in the past, and with the season finely balanced, it promises another unmissable chapter in the SailGP story.
