The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth delivered two days of relentless drama, tactical brilliance and unexpected twists as SailGP's European leg got underway. From surprise eliminations to last minute recoveries, the weekend showcased just how unforgiving the championship has become. Yet, when the spray settled, it was Los Gallos Spain who once again proved they are the team to beat, claiming a second consecutive Grand Prix victory and strengthening their position in the Season 6 title race.
Saturday's opening day immediately demonstrated how little separated the fleet.
In Group A, NorthStar Canada made the perfect start by winning the opening race from start to finish, while Los Gallos responded impressively in Race Two. Diego Botín's crew patiently hunted down the Canadians throughout the race before capitalising on an error at the final gate, where Canada lost flight attempting an aggressive defensive manoeuvre. Spain seized victory in dramatic fashion, collecting valuable points in an increasingly competitive group.
The final race of the day belonged to New Zealand's Black Foils. Improving with every outing, Peter Burling's crew produced a flawless performance, leading from the opening mark to the finish and ending Saturday at the top of Group A. Behind them, Canada and Spain remained firmly in contention, with every point carrying increasing significance ahead of Sunday's decisive races.
Group B was equally unpredictable. Three different teams claimed victories across the day's three races as the United States, Artemis Sweden and Emirates GBR each enjoyed moments at the front of the fleet. Sweden emerged as overnight group leaders, while the home crowd celebrated a much needed victory for Emirates GBR in the final race after Germany narrowly avoided a spectacular capsize that ultimately ruined their challenge.
By the end of Saturday, neither group had established complete control. Every contender remained within striking distance, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion on Super Sunday.
Sunday rewrote the script once again.
The opening races transformed both groups. Australia took advantage of problems for several rivals to secure their first win of the weekend in Group A, while Spain's consistency allowed Los Gallos to climb to the top of the standings. In Group B, Germany completed an extraordinary turnaround after a disappointing first day, dominating their race from start to finish, while the United States saw their hopes unravel following an incident with Emirates GBR.
Everything then came down to the decisive qualifying races. Canada produced a superb late recovery to secure their place in the Final alongside Spain, while New Zealand's campaign collapsed after a costly tactical error despite leading the group just 24 hours earlier.
Australia, the overall championship leaders, also failed to progress after an early start penalty. In Group B, Explora Swiss comfortably secured qualification together with Artemis Sweden, while the British team suffered heartbreak in front of its home supporters after losing flight at the opening mark and seeing its hopes disappear.
After ten qualifying races across two days, four teams remained. Los Gallos Spain, NorthStar Canada, Artemis Sweden and Explora Swiss would battle for the Portsmouth title.
The final perfectly reflected the intensity of the entire weekend. Artemis timed the start brilliantly, while Explora Swiss matched their pace around the opening mark. Spain, meanwhile, found themselves at the back of the fleet and faced the challenge of overtaking three highly competitive crews.
Rather than forcing risky moves, Diego Botín's crew remained composed. As the race unfolded, they identified stronger pressure on the opposite side of the course approaching the crucial windward mark and committed to a split that proved decisive. The tactical call immediately paid off, allowing Los Gallos to overtake Sweden before pulling clear of the fleet.
Canada's hopes faded after an earlier boundary penalty, while Switzerland briefly threatened to challenge for the lead. Spain, however, executed every manoeuvre with remarkable precision, extending their advantage through the closing stages before crossing the finish line to secure back to back SailGP victories following their success in Halifax.
The result further underlines the remarkable momentum behind the Spanish team. With six podium finishes in eight events, including consecutive victories in Canada and Great Britain, Los Gallos have firmly established themselves as Australia's closest challengers in the Rolex SailGP Championship. The win in Portsmouth cuts Australia's advantage to just 12 points with five events still to come, keeping Spain firmly in contention for a place in the Grand Final in Abu Dhabi later this season.
More importantly, Portsmouth reinforced why Los Gallos are emerging as genuine championship favourites. While other contenders relied on flashes of brilliance, Spain combined consistency, composure and tactical intelligence across both days. They never dominated every race, but they consistently delivered when the pressure was greatest. In a championship where fortunes can change in a single manoeuvre, those qualities are proving invaluable.
Attention now turns to the next stop on the calendar as the SailGP fleet heads to Sassnitz, Germany, for the Germany Sail Grand Prix on 22 and 23 August, before continuing the European swing with the eagerly anticipated Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia on 5 and 6 September. Carrying the strongest momentum in the championship, Los Gallos will arrive in Germany determined to extend their winning streak and continue closing the gap at the top of the standings.
