The Bay of Cádiz delivered another unforgettable weekend of SailGP action, with shifting winds, demanding waves and a passionate crowd filling the promenade. It was a test of skill and composure, and Dylan Fletcher’s Emirates GBR emerged as the strongest team of all, claiming victory and tightening their grip on the top of the season leaderboard.
Saturday opened with a commanding performance from Rockwool Denmark. Nicolai Sehested’s crew took two wins from the first four races, sailing with precision in difficult conditions. The moderate winds and heavy swell made the F50s difficult to control, yet the Danes adapted well and ended the day just one point ahead of Emirates GBR. The British crew built their momentum differently, never finishing outside the top five and proving once again that calm consistency can be more valuable than risk-taking.
Spain’s home team, Los Gallos, delivered one of the day’s highlights. After finishing last in the opening race, Diego Botín’s crew rallied to score 3rd, 9th and 4th, to the delight of the local supporters watching from the seawall. Germany sailed confidently, Switzerland came close to a win, and the United States secured an early podium, while the umpires handed out 18 penalties across the fleet that changed the rhythm of racing more than once.
Sunday dawned with lighter air and even more tension. Only a single point separated Denmark and Great Britain at the top. Los Gallos started strong again, briefly leading ahead of Australia and France, but a boundary infringement cost them dearly and dropped them to seventh. France, led by Quentin Delapierre, sailed a clean and composed race to take their first win of the event, maintaining near-perfect foiling throughout the course.
New Zealand’s response soon followed. Peter Burling and his Black Foils found their rhythm again in Race 6, starting conservatively but gaining ground at every mark. Their boat speed downwind was exceptional, and they overtook several teams, nearly catching Emirates GBR on the final leg. Fletcher’s men held firm, finishing just ahead and securing the overall lead before the final showdown. Rockwool Denmark, brilliant the previous day, could not replicate their pace and slipped down the order.
The most emotional moment came with Brazil’s first-ever SailGP win. Martine Grael and her Mubadala Brazil crew mastered the lighter breeze and rolling sea, finding flow and precision from start to finish. “Today everything clicked,” she said after crossing the line, visibly moved by the milestone.
Then came the final, a pure contest of nerve and control. Emirates GBR, Germany by Deutsche Bank and New Zealand’s Black Foils lined up for a seven-minute decider that tested every instinct of timing and precision. Fletcher jumped the gun and received an early penalty, but the British team recovered instantly, finding clear air and returning to full flight. Germany, under Erik Heil, held a high line to stay in touch, while Burling bided his time, waiting for the opening.
As the race unfolded, the three boats were separated by only a handful of metres. The final leg became a tactical battle, not one of speed but of judgement. The Black Foils moved to leeward, trying to gain overlap and a faster exit to the finish. Fletcher read the move perfectly, holding his line with absolute precision and forcing Burling to yield or risk a penalty. That single defensive manoeuvre decided the race.
Emirates GBR crossed the finish in seven minutes and 31 seconds, only seconds ahead of New Zealand and Germany. It was a measured, clinical victory, the kind that defines champions. “We kept our composure and made the right calls when it mattered,” Fletcher said afterwards, as cheers echoed across the bay.
The event standings placed Emirates GBR first with 49 points, followed by Germany on 44 and the Black Foils on 42. Spain finished fifth, while Denmark slipped to fourth after their early dominance faded.
With only Abu Dhabi remaining in the 2025 season, Emirates GBR now lead the overall standings with 85 points, three ahead of New Zealand and five clear of Australia’s BONDS Flying Roos.
Cádiz crowned a worthy winner. Emirates GBR’s balance of control, patience and tactical clarity showed why they are setting the standard this season. In a bay filled with light, noise and energy, the British crew sailed with quiet authority, proving that precision under pressure remains the finest mark of a champion.
1st, Emirates GBR, 49 pts
2nd, Germany by Deutsche Bank, 44 pts
3rd, Black Foils, 42 pts
4th, ROCKWOOL Racing, 41 pts
5th, Los Gallos (Spain), 35 pts
6th, France, 33 pts
7th, BONDS Flying Roos, 31 pts
8th, United States, 29 pts
9th, Mubadala Brazil, 25 pts
10th, NorthStar (Canada), 23 pts
11th, Switzerland, 21 pts
12th, Red Bull Italy, 12 pts
With just Abu Dhabi remaining in the 2025 season, the leaderboard reads:
1st, Emirates GBR, 85 pts (three event wins: Sydney, Saint-Tropez, Andalucia-Cadiz)
2nd, Black Foils, 82 pts (two event wins: Dubai, Portsmouth)
3rd, BONDS Flying Roos, 80 pts (one event win: Auckland)
4th, Los Gallos (Spain), 76 pts (two event wins: San Francisco, New York)
5th, France, 61 pts (one event win: Sassnitz (Germany))
6th, NorthStar (Canada), 48 pts (one event win: Los Angeles)
7th, ROCKWOOL Racing (Denmark), 38 pts
8th, Switzerland, 38 pts
9th, Germany by Deutsche Bank, 31 pts (one event win: Geneva)
10th, Red Bull Italy, 22 pts
11th, Mubadala Brazil, 16 pts
12th, United States, -4 pts
