5 Things you need to know about the Spain Sail Grand Prix
All the key storylines ahead of the U.S. SailGP Team’s first visit to Valencia
Published 09/2/2026
The European leg of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship heads south this weekend, as the 13-strong fleet descends on Valencia for the very first time.
It’s a new venue, a new challenge and another crucial weekend in the Championship fight, with the U.S. SailGP Team looking to make its mark on Spanish waters.
Here’s everything you need to know…
1. A new Spanish home
SailGP is swapping AndalucÃa for the Mediterranean this weekend.
After four seasons of racing in Cádiz, SailGP is heading to Valencia – taking the Championship from Spain’s Atlantic coast to its Mediterranean shores.
And this won’t be a one-off. Valencia has signed a three-year deal to host SailGP, meaning the city will remain on the Championship calendar at one of Spain’s most famous sailing cities through to at least 2028.
For the U.S. SailGP Team, it’s another chance to get to grips with a brand-new venue – and there’s no previous data from racing here for anyone to lean on.
2. The Championship enters its final stages
Nine events are now in the books, and the Championship fight is beginning to take shape.
The BONDS Flying Roos remain out in front after their fifth event win of the season in Germany, but Los Gallos are firmly in pursuit after making three consecutive podiums in their latest run of form.
Behind them, the battle is just as tight. Artemis currently sits third, while Emirates GBR and the U.S. SailGP Team are tied on points in fourth and fifth, respectively.
With the Championship moving into its final stages, there is increasingly little margin for error.
A strong weekend in Valencia could make a significant difference to the U.S. SailGP Team’s position – the stakes are only getting higher.
3. Los Gallos are flying into their home event
Los Gallos will be looking for a home race victory this weekend
If there’s one team everyone will have their eyes on in Valencia, it’s the home crew.
Los Gallos are arriving at their home event in sensational form, having won back-to-back events in Halifax and Portsmouth before adding a third-place finish in Sassnitz.
That makes three podiums in their last three events – a run which has propelled Diego BotÃn and co. firmly into the Championship fight.
4. Starting stronger
On the subject of teams in a hurry for success, the Black Foils have wasted little time in getting back among the points after their F50 was rebuilt.
That horrific collision in Auckland forced Peter Burling and Blair Tuke’s team to sit out the next four events before returning for the Canada Sail Grand Prix in Halifax in June.Â
Since then, the Kiwis have finished P5 in successive events, quickly putting 14 points on the board. Next in their sights? The likes of Red Bull Italy (+8pts) and ROCKWOOL Racing (+10pts) in the places immediately above them.
Reaching another Grand Final will be a big ask but the Black Foils certainly won’t give up.
5. Two groups, one route to the Final
The racing in Valencia will once again see the fleet split into two groups – and the U.S. SailGP Team have landed in Group B.
Taylor Canfield and the Crew will line up alongside NorthStar, Los Gallos, DS Automobiles Team France, ROCKWOOL Denmark and Germany SailGP Team.
Meanwhile, Group A brings together BONDS Flying Roos, Black Foils, Artemis, Emirates GBR, Red Bull Italy, Explora Swiss and Mubadala Brazil.
With the Championship leaders, two of the teams immediately ahead of the U.S. in the standings and several proven race winners all separated into the same group, the route to the Final will look very different depending on which side of the draw you’re on.
2026 Germany Sail Grand Prix | Valencia
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