SailGP Season Nears Its Grand Finale
Emirates GBR Seize the Helm in Cádiz: Fletcher’s Crew Dominate as SailGP Season Nears Its Grand Finale
As the sun beat down on southern Spain’s sailing capital, a sell-out crowd packed the waterfront for another chapter in what’s become one of the most thrilling seasons in SailGP history. Twelve national teams launched their F50 foiling catamarans into the famous Andalusian chop — 24-metre wings gleaming, grinders primed, and flight controllers braced for the unpredictable Mistral breeze that makes Cádiz one of the toughest venues in the global circuit.
A British Slingshot and a Kiwi Shock
The final race delivered the kind of edge-of-the-seat drama that defines SailGP. Dylan Fletcher’s Emirates GBR team executed a perfectly timed slingshot manoeuvre around the final mark, forcing Peter Burling’s Black Foils (New Zealand) off their foils and into a desperate recovery. The Kiwis’ sudden loss of lift allowed the British boat to surge ahead and seal the win — their third event victory of the season.
Behind them, the Germany SailGP Team presented by Deutsche Bank continued their impressive rise, claiming third in the final and confirming their place among the fleet’s elite after their breakthrough win in Switzerland.
“It was an unbelievable weekend for the team,” said Fletcher. “We had to fight through the fleet all day. The Kiwis were sailing brilliantly, but we managed to come out on top when it mattered.”
Burling, ever the cool tactician, was gracious in defeat. “We thought we’d be able to get the inside lane on that final turn,” he explained. “But the Brits managed to sneak an overlap, and at that speed there’s no margin for error. Still, second keeps us in good shape overall.”
Relentless Consistency from Emirates GBR
Emirates GBR were the class act of the weekend, stacking up a string of podium finishes across two demanding days of fleet racing. Their performance not only secured the event trophy but also propelled them to the top of the Rolex SailGP Championship leaderboard with 85 points — a commanding position nine points clear of fourth-placed Spain and three ahead of the BONDS Flying Roos (Australia), who dropped from first to third overall.
“It’s the perfect moment to take a win before Abu Dhabi,” said strategist Hannah Mills, herself a double Olympic gold medallist. “This was physical, technical racing — the kind where one small mistake can send you flying, literally. The team kept the boat stable, stayed calm, and just nailed the consistency.”
Spain’s Passion Ignites Cádiz Bay
For the home crowd, all eyes were on Diego Botín and his Spain SailGP Team, who thrilled the thousands on the promenade with a dominant win in Fleet Race 5. The sight of the Spanish F50 flying at over 90 km/h, red and yellow sails slicing through turquoise water, was a moment that summed up why Cádiz has become a jewel in the SailGP crown.
“Sailing in front of this crowd is electric,” said Botín. “The passion, the noise, the sea of red flags — it gives you energy. We want to reward that support, and Abu Dhabi will be our chance to fight back into the top three.”
Highs, Lows, and Hard Lessons
Elsewhere, there were mixed fortunes. Tom Slingsby’s BONDS Flying Roos started the regatta on fire, taking Fleet Race 1, but inconsistency cost them dearly. The Australians slipped back to fifth overall — their worst finish of the season.
“It came down to the starts,” said Slingsby. “In these light-air conditions, one poor start and you’re stuck in dirty air, fighting the fleet instead of racing it. We just didn’t execute when it mattered.”
The France SailGP Team claimed Fleet Race 6, and Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team secured a morale-boosting win in Race 7 — only their second since joining the circuit.
But perhaps the biggest heartbreak came for Nicolai Sehested’s ROCKWOOL Racing, who entered the final day in pole position only to fall short of the event final after a series of tactical misfires. “We played it too safe,” admitted Sehested. “You’ve got to attack in Cádiz. When you start hedging bets, the fleet swallows you.”
A Championship on a Knife’s Edge
The win in Cádiz gives Emirates GBR their third event title of the 2025 season, solidifying their claim as favourites heading into next month’s Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2025 Season Grand Final, presented by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (November 29-30).
Fletcher’s team now lead the standings on 85 points, ahead of Black Foils (New Zealand) on 82, and BONDS Flying Roos (Australia) on 80. Behind them, Spain (76) and France (71) remain in the hunt.
“The leaderboard looks completely different now,” said Mills. “This win puts us in control — but SailGP doesn’t allow you to relax. One mistake in Abu Dhabi and the whole season flips. That’s what makes it so addictive.”
The Cádiz Cauldron: A True Test of Seamanship
Cádiz delivered everything SailGP promises: big breeze, flat-out racing, and the world’s most elite sailors pushing the limits of hydro-foiling technology. With average speeds over 90 km/h and boats launching off waves mid-gybe, it was survival at times as much as skill.
The bay’s shifting wind patterns and steep chop turned every start into a gamble. “It’s like racing a fighter jet in a washing machine,” joked one competitor.
Spectators packed the shoreline, creating an atmosphere more like a Formula 1 weekend than a sailing regatta. With attendance topping 100,000 over two days, Cádiz proved again why it’s one of SailGP’s most popular venues — a blend of Andalusian culture, speed, and spectacle.
Looking Ahead: Abu Dhabi Awaits
Next stop: Abu Dhabi, where the season reaches its crescendo. The stakes couldn’t be higher — a US $2 million, winner-takes-all Grand Final that will decide the Rolex SailGP Champion 2025.
Fletcher’s Emirates GBR will start as favourites, but Burling’s Black Foils are lurking just three points behind — and the Australians are desperate for redemption.
“We’ve got nothing to lose,” said Slingsby. “Abu Dhabi will be full throttle.”
Final Standings After Cádiz
Position Team Event Points Season Points
1 Emirates GBR. 10 85
2 Black Foils (New Zealand). 9 82
3 Germany SailGP Team 8 74
4 BONDS Flying Roos (Australia). 7 80
5 Spain SailGP Team 6 76
6 France SailGP Team 5 71
Old Sea Dogs Takeaway
Cádiz reminded us why sailing’s future belongs to SailGP — a blend of raw seamanship, Olympic precision, and showmanship that brings high-tech hydrofoils within reach of a global audience. And for Dylan Fletcher’s Emirates GBR, it was more than a win — it was a statement.
The sea was sharp, the breeze unforgiving, but the Brits never blinked. As Fletcher put it, “We just kept pushing.”
Next stop:
Abu Dhabi. The fight for sailing’s richest prize is about to reach boiling point.