The world of elite sailing turned its eyes to New York on 7–8 June 2025, as the city hosted one of the most anticipated events of the SailGP calendar. Against the dramatic skyline of Manhattan and the iconic waters of the Hudson River, the Spanish team delivered a spectacular performance to claim victory at the New York Sail Grand Prix, outpacing fierce rivals New Zealand and France in a hard-fought Final.
Led by driver Diego Botín, Spain’s team not only repeated their triumph from San Francisco but also underlined their growing dominance in this year’s championship. Botín’s squad mastered the Hudson’s unpredictable breeze, reaching speeds of 72 km/h, and consistently holding a slim but crucial lead of three seconds at every gate. As they crossed the finish line in front of packed spectator areas on Governors Island, the crowd erupted — witnessing one of the most intense battles of the season.
“It was an emotional rollercoaster,” Botín said after the race. “We started well with a second place, then struggled in the next two qualifiers. But to hold our nerve and win the Final made all the effort worthwhile. The shifting breeze and strong gusts made conditions challenging, but we kept improving and found the perfect rhythm when it mattered most.”
The Spanish victory was far from easy. The New Zealand team, who won in New York last season, chased relentlessly but were ultimately forced to settle for second place. France, also strong contenders throughout the weekend, completed the podium in third.
Founded as one of the world’s most exciting and technologically advanced sailing competitions, SailGP features 11 national teams competing across multiple continents in a high-speed, high-stakes race for the season title. The teams race identical F50 hydrofoiling catamarans, capable of flying above the water at speeds nearing 100 km/h, ensuring that the skill of the crew — not technology — determines victory.
Each SailGP event spans two action-packed days, offering fans thrilling races set against some of the globe’s most famous waterfront cities. Points are awarded based on race finishes, accumulating over the season to determine standings for the final championship-deciding Grand Prix.
The 2024/25 SailGP season launched spectacularly in Dubai, UAE, in November 2024, followed by breathtaking stops in Auckland, Sydney, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, before reaching New York. Spain — the youngest team on the circuit, having joined only in Season 2 — is currently topping the leaderboard under the leadership of Diego Botín and Florian Trittel.
Their New York victory further extends their advantage over fierce rivals Australia’s Flying Roos, the reigning champions of past seasons, who sit in second. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Black Foils, always dangerous contenders, hold third position.
This rise of the Spanish team marks a generational shift in the championship, as newer crews challenge the dominance of more established national teams.
With the American leg of the season complete, the competition now turns to Europe, where the next chapter will unfold on 19–20 July in Portsmouth, Great Britain. From there, SailGP will make its much-anticipated debut in Sassnitz, Germany, on 16–17 August, before returning to familiar waters in Saint-Tropez, France, in mid-September.
Later that month, the championship will break new ground in Geneva, Switzerland, on 20–21 September, before concluding the European series in Andalucía–Cádiz, Spain, on 4–5 October. The season’s climax will come with the Grand Final in Abu Dhabi, on 29–30 November, where the top three ranked teams will battle for the ultimate glory of becoming SailGP Season 5 Champions.
With Spain’s New York triumph, anticipation has never been higher — can the young challengers maintain their momentum and claim the title, or will the established powers of Australia and New Zealand fight back? The race for the world’s fastest sailing honour remains wide open.
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