Emirates GBR deliver late-race precision to claim Race 6 as 2026 Perth SailGP tightens

Emirates GBR underlined their growing momentum at the Perth SailGP with a composed, late-race victory in Fleet Race 6, converting pressure, precision and timing into a decisive result as the battle for the event final intensified.

Conditions remained demanding on Super Sunday. A short, aggressive sea state and gusty breeze continued to punish over-commitment, with multiple boats struggling to maintain stable flight. The fleet lined up for Race 6 knowing that mistakes would be costly, and that clean execution now mattered more than outright aggression.

Germany showed early intent, leading the fleet back toward the start, while Canada and Australia were brave on the line. Denmark again launched strongly, but the volatility of the conditions made holding early gains difficult. Emirates GBR and Artemis positioned themselves conservatively, prioritising space and control over risk.

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By Gate 2, the race had tightened dramatically. DS Team France threaded cleanly through the congestion and emerged with control of the front group, while Emirates GBR split away from traffic and began building speed down the course. The alert list records repeated compression points through the middle legs, with multiple teams forced into evasive manoeuvres as lanes closed rapidly.

The decisive phase came in the final two legs. France led confidently and appeared well set for a second win of the regatta, but Emirates GBR closed relentlessly. A critical approach to the final layline saw France over-run the mark, missing the optimal entry. Emirates GBR seized the opening, executing a textbook final turn to cross ahead and secure the win.

Behind them, Australia’s Bonds Flying Roos recovered strongly to claim third, while Artemis fought through traffic and penalties to finish fourth, enough to keep their event campaign firmly alive. Switzerland completed a solid return after Saturday’s collision, finishing inside the top five and showing clear improvement in control and confidence.

Italy, who had led early, slipped back to seventh as the race stretched out, while the USA recovered to eighth after running deep in the pack for much of the race. Denmark and Germany again struggled to manage the fine line between speed and stability, with penalties and splashdowns proving costly.

Race 6 reshaped the Perth leaderboard once again. Emirates GBR backed up their Race 5 win with authority, France showed they remain a front-running threat despite the late error, and the margins separating the top contenders narrowed further.

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With one fleet race remaining before the event final, Perth remains wide open, and discipline, not daring, continues to decide who advances.

Race results