France convert pace into victory as Artemis rebound strongly in Race 2 SailGP Perth

A different rhythm after the Race 1 fallout

Race 2 of the SailGP Perth opener unfolded with a noticeably different tone to the opening contest.

With Spain already sidelined for the weekend and both New Zealand and Switzerland carrying the scars from their Race 1 collision, there was more space on the start line and, critically, more room for teams to execute their preferred modes without immediate congestion. That extra breathing room did not reduce the intensity, but it shifted the emphasis even further toward acceleration, positioning, and decision-making in the first minute of the race.

There was also an unmistakable sense that several teams arrived at the start line with something to prove, none more so than Artemis Racing, who were looking to erase a ninth-place finish from earlier in the day, and Emirates GBR, intent on building steadily after a salvaged fifth in Race 1.

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France time it perfectly off the line

The start belonged to DS Team France.

Quentin Delapierre judged the line superbly, finding a narrow gap with speed when others hesitated, and immediately translated that launch into control at Mark 1. Germany emerged alongside them initially, but France owned the mark, had room to sail their angle, and exited with momentum that would define the race.

Behind them, the fleet remained tightly packed, with Artemis, Germany, Emirates GBR, and the USA all jostling for position, while Australia, winners of Race 1, found themselves unusually deep and forced into early recovery mode.

Once France settled into clean air, the race became a demonstration of disciplined SailGP sailing in heavy breeze.

The Fremantle Doctor continued to deliver a short, choppy sea state that punished rushed manoeuvres and rewarded teams able to reduce board drops, minimise distance sailed, and keep the platform level through transitions. France consistently chose the left turns that had proven favoured earlier in the day, managed their foils conservatively through the roughest sections of the course, and avoided the compression zones that caused trouble deeper in the fleet.

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Artemis, meanwhile, began to look like the team many expected them to be. Nathan Outteridge drove assertively, responding quickly to Germany and Britain at the gates, and showing sharp reactions when right-of-way situations tightened. The recovery was helped by calm onboard communication and a willingness to give up small distances at the top of legs to gain leverage later, particularly downwind where the course opened slightly.

Midfleet battles reshape the podium fight

While France edged away at the front, the real contest played out behind them.

Emirates GBR remained patient and precise, cutting corners where the shifts allowed and gradually working into podium contention without taking unnecessary risks. Artemis’ gains came largely through sharper gate work and quicker reactions in traffic, while Germany and the USA traded places repeatedly as small timing differences at the marks produced outsized gains and losses.

Australia’s race never fully reset after a poor start. Tom Slingsby’s crew worked methodically through the pack, picking up places where opportunities appeared, but the spread of the fleet and the lack of early clean air made a return to the front unrealistic. It was a reminder, reinforced again in Perth, that once a SailGP fleet stretches, even the best teams are often reduced to salvage mode.

France finish the job

By the final leg, the picture had stabilised.

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France led comfortably, Artemis had secured second, and Emirates GBR were holding third under pressure. Delapierre’s crew showed no sign of nerves, sailing the final run with the same restraint that had characterised the race from Mark 1 onward, before crossing the line to secure their first win of the 2026 season.

Artemis completed one of the standout turnarounds of the day, jumping from ninth in Race 1 to second in Race 2, a result that immediately put them back into contention on the points table. Emirates GBR added a third-place finish to their earlier fifth, quietly building the sort of consistency that championships are often built on.

Race 2 results reshape the weekend narrative

Two races into the Perth opener, the storylines were already sharpening.

France had converted raw pace into a controlled win, Artemis had announced themselves properly after a shaky start, and Emirates GBR were doing exactly what defending champions need to do by staying in touch without forcing the issue. Australia, despite their dominant opening race, were reminded how unforgiving SailGP can be when the start does not go your way.

With two more fleet races still to come on the day, Race 2 underlined a central truth of SailGP in Fremantle conditions: hit the line well, find clean air early, and let the breeze do the rest, because once the fleet spreads, there are very few second chances.

Race results