In the lead-up to the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth, anticipation was high. For the first time, this historic maritime city was hosting SailGP, offering a golden opportunity for Emirates GBR to bounce back after lacklustre results in the United States. With the Solent tides, Spinnaker Tower and a forecast of intense competition present, the competition promised a thrilling return to European waters.
As Saturday’s article Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix takes over historic Portsmouth noted, Emirates GBR was counting on “local knowledge” and a raucous home crowd to turn things around. And after a spectacular first day of racing, it seemed they just might do it.
But on Sunday, New Zealand’s Black Foils had other plans.
Saturday, 19 July, saw Emirates GBR come out firing. Led by Olympic gold medallist Dylan Fletcher and strategist Hannah Mills, the British crew took advantage of familiar waters to top the leaderboard at the end of Day One - a fact SailGP.com described with excitement: “Emirates GBR storm to the top of the event leaderboard.”
It was a commanding performance that reignited local hopes and electrified the more than 20,000 fans lining Portsmouth’s waterfront. Fletcher’s aggressive but calculated sailing gave the impression that a long-awaited home win might finally be within reach, a first since narrowly missing the final in Plymouth back in 2022.
On Sunday, the narrative shifted. In the event final, New Zealand, helmed by Peter Burling delivered a clinical performance, denying Emirates GBR a home win and securing their second victory of the season. As reported on 20 July by SailGP.com: “Peter Burling’s Black Foils steal Brits’ home win.”
It was a heartbreaking result for the British crew, especially after such a strong showing the day before. But for New Zealand, it was a tactical masterclass, with clean starts, smooth manoeuvres, and icy focus under pressure.
“It was not to be for Dylan Fletcher’s Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team,” read the official summary, as Burling’s crew raced away with the trophy, and the championship lead.
New Zealand’s win in Portsmouth has massive implications for the Season 5 leaderboard. Entering the weekend third in the standings with 44 points, the Black Foils now surge to the top with 54 points, leapfrogging both Spain and Australia.
1. New Zealand - 54 points
2. Australia - 52 points
3. Spain - 51 points
4. Emirates GBR - 47 points
The Spanish team, led by Diego Botín and dubbed “Los Gallos,” had come into Portsmouth as favourites after two consecutive event wins in the United States. A third straight win, the much-hyped “hat-trick” was within reach, but Spain failed to reach the final, losing momentum when it mattered most.
One of the most remarkable stories of the weekend came from France. After suffering a torn wingsail during warmups on Saturday, the team missed racing that day. However, thanks to an all-night effort by the SailGP tech team, they returned to competition on Sunday. Though they didn’t reach the podium, their comeback underscored the technical teamwork and grit that define this league.
Beyond the action on the water, Portsmouth delivered an all-around festival. Fans were treated to flybys, Q&As with Ben Ainslie, and performances by Tom Grennan and Pete Tong, turning the event into a full SailGP experience.
The city embraced the championship’s return to the UK after three years, with iconic Portsmouth landmarks and maritime tradition blending seamlessly with cutting-edge F50s.
This weekend’s outcome reshapes the season’s storyline. No longer is the question whether Spain can hold their lead, but now, it’s more about if anyone can stop the Black Foils.
The action now shifts to Sassnitz, Germany, for the next event on 16–17 August. With just a few races remaining, the pressure is mounting. Emirates GBR still has time to stage a comeback, but for now, it’s Peter Burling and New Zealand who have taken command.
The Solent may not have delivered the fairy tale for the home team, but it delivered the intensity, upsets, and world-class racing SailGP is known for.
