2026 Rolex SailGP Championship Sets Sail in Perth, Underscoring High-octane Competition

As Fremantle, a historic port city in Western Australia renowned for its legendary seabreeze - the ‘Fremantle Doctor’ - and unpredictable racing conditions, gears up for winter, it is also preparing to host the inaugural event of the high-stakes Rolex SailGP Championship 2026 from 17 to 18 January. This kickoff promises a thrilling scene, setting the stage for a year of intense competition and high-performance sailing.

The season will consist of 13 races spanning five continents, introducing new locations and a new team to the competition, emphasizing the innovative technologies expected to be the spotlight. Returning as defending champions are the Emirates GBR SailGP Team, who made history in 2025 by being the first team to win both the title and the Impact League, a prestigious season-long competition that celebrates teams’ efforts to safeguard the planet and promote inclusivity in sailing.

The 2026 Season signifies significant progress in the evolution of the Rolex SailGP Championship, with fine-tuning to the flight-control systems, wings, and their real-time data capabilities. These enhancements will afford teams greater accuracy in reacting to conditions and improving their performance and tactical decision-making during every move. Excellence lies in the minute details of executing precise maneuvers - split-second decisions at the start or fractions of a second around a mark could determine an entire race strategy.

A new record-breaking speed of 103.93 km/h was achieved in last season’s race in Germany, proving the F50 catamaran’s capacity to efficiently reach these breathtaking speeds. Harnessing wind shifts and optimising boat handling with extreme precision equates to success on the water. The level of competition has changed drastically. Every team now has several coaches, analysts, and has access to the same data and footage, making the fleet extraordinarily competitive. With identical boats and open data sharing, virtually nothing separates the teams anymore.