Speed, Stakes, and Sail Racing Glory Await in Abu Dhabi
Two days. Twelve boats. One million-dollar finish line. It’s the ultimate test of precision, pressure, and performance — where three can race, but only one can win sailing’s most coveted crown and the US $2 million top prize.
The Format: Two Days, One Champion
Hosted at Mina Zayed Marina, the Abu Dhabi Grand Final will see all 12 national teams take to the line for two intense days of fleet racing. After multiple qualifying rounds, only the top three teams in the season standings will advance to the Grand Final showdown — a single, winner-takes-all race where the first across the line claims not only glory but the largest prize purse in sailing.
It’s brutal. It’s beautiful. And it all happens in the blink of an eye — foiling catamarans flying above the water at nearly 100 km/h, where one gust, one gybe, one tactical error can change everything.
Who’s in the Running – The 2025 SailGP Heavyweights
After 11 global events, the leaderboard is tighter than ever. Four powerhouse teams head into Abu Dhabi still in with a shot at the title — each with their own story, strategy, and scars from a long, unforgiving season.
Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team
The season’s breakout stars. With Dylan Fletcher at the helm and Hannah Mills calling tactics, the British team has been unstoppable since Fletcher replaced Giles Scott earlier this year. Three event wins, six Grand Final appearances, and an unshakeable sense of momentum have put Emirates GBR in pole position to capture their first-ever SailGP Championship.
Led by Sir Ben Ainslie, the team’s precision, consistency, and bold calls in pressure moments have set a new benchmark. As Fletcher puts it:
“We’ve had a rollercoaster season — started strong, dipped in the U.S., then came roaring back in Europe. We’re buzzing for Abu Dhabi. Everything we’ve done this year has built to this.”
The Black Foils – New Zealand SailGP Team
Few teams sail with such quiet confidence. Peter Burling and his Kiwi crew have been models of precision and control, boasting the highest foiling efficiency score in the fleet.
Five Grand Final appearances this season underline their form, and with the team undefeated in UAE waters, the Black Foils are poised to pounce.
“The UAE has always been good to us,” said Burling. “But this one’s different — new course, new wing, new stakes. We’re ready for the fight.”
Burling, a double Olympic gold medallist, has been chasing this title since SailGP began. Abu Dhabi might just be the perfect stage for his long-awaited triumph.
The BONDS Flying Roos – Australia SailGP Team
Three-time champions, serial winners, and perennial rivals. Tom Slingsby’s Australian juggernaut enters the Grand Final with the weight of history on their shoulders.
Losing long-time trimmer Kyle Langford to Red Bull Italy was a blow, but Slingsby’s leadership and experience — including four previous Grand Finals — have kept the team in striking distance.
“It’s tight — four teams for three spots,” Slingsby said. “We just need to execute. We’ve done it before, we can do it again.”
With nine race wins and a reputation for thriving under pressure, never count the Roos out.
Spain SailGP Team – “Los Gallos”
Defending champions and crowd favourites, Diego Botin’s fiery Spanish crew remain the wildcard in the pack. After a shaky European leg, they need a flawless fleet racing performance to make the Final — but if they do, they could rewrite history.
Botin, fresh off a 49er World Championship title, knows how to deliver when it matters:
“It’s all or nothing now. The course is tight, the winds can get tricky — perfect for chaos. We’re going to attack from the first gun.”
With two Final wins from three appearances this season, Los Gallos are the definition of unpredictable brilliance.
The Numbers Behind the Rivalry
Prize Purse: $12M total – the richest in the sport.
Grand Final Winner: $2M.
2025 Season Prize Money Leaders: Emirates GBR ($2M), Black Foils ($1.76M), Flying Roos & Spain ($1.2M each).
Olympic Pedigree: 20 medals between the top-four teams — including four gold-medal-winning helms.
Event Wins: GBR (3), NZL (2), ESP (2), AUS (1).
New Tech: The 27.5-Metre Wing Makes Its Debut
The Grand Final will also mark the first full competitive use of SailGP’s new 27.5-metre wing, tested earlier this year in Cádiz.
Designed to bridge the gap between the 24m all-purpose and 29m light-air configurations, the new wing promises tighter racing and faster transitions — a key factor on Abu Dhabi’s compact, tactical racecourse. Expect higher average speeds, closer crossings, and even less room for error.
What’s at Stake
Beyond the $2 million top prize, this Grand Final decides more than a trophy — it’s about national pride, legacy, and redemption.
For Fletcher and Emirates GBR, it’s about completing the perfect debut season. For Burling and the Black Foils, it’s the quest for their first world title. For Slingsby and the Flying Roos, it’s about proving they’re still the kings of foiling. For Botin and Spain, it’s a chance to shock the world one more time.
Final Thoughts: One Race to Rule Them All
From the Solent to Sydney, from Cádiz to Christchurch — twelve rounds of adrenaline, rivalry, and relentless precision all lead here. The waters of Abu Dhabi will decide who rises, who falls, and who takes home the title of 2025 Rolex SailGP Champion.