5 Things You Missed At The Canada Sail Grand Prix

Recap the Canada Sail Grand Prix with the best bits from Halifax

Published 06/23/2026

The Americas leg of the 2026 SailGP Season concluded in Halifax on Sunday with first-time winners for the campaign in Los Gallos.

But what else happened across a chaotic weekend of the Canada Sail Grand Prix? Here are five things you might have missed among the mayhem!

1. Rule change sparks strategy change

Ahead of racing on the Atlantic Coast, SailGP ruled that in five-up configurations, they would have to have two athletes tethered behind the wheel. In other words, even when conditions dictated losing an athlete from the F50, a strategist had to be present.

U.S. SailGP Team grinder and jib trimmer Anna Weis at the back of the F50 for the Canada Sail Grand Prix

At the same time, teams had to comply with the existing requirement to have a female athlete aboard. For some teams, it was business as usual. For example, the BONDS Flying Roos have Tash Bryant as their regular strategist, while Emirates GBR boast the skills of Hannah Mills.

For the U.S. SailGP Team, it meant pivoting. Anna Weis, the only full-time grinder in the fleet, was redeployed at the back of the boat behind driver Taylor Canfield, adding yet another string to her already impressive bow!

2. Los Gallos end drought and break Aussie dominance

The Americas have belonged to Tom Slingsby’s BONDS Flying Roos.

Heading to Halifax, Australia was looking for a fourth straight event win after triumphing in Rio, Bermuda and New York. But the wait will go on.

Los Gallos SailGP Team celebrates winning the 2026 Canada Sail Grand Prix

Los Gallos had not enjoyed the sweet taste of the customary victory champagne spray since New York last season – a whole 14 months.

Diego Botín’s crew traded blows with Artemis in a dramatic final but finally took control at the last mark before heading to Halifax waterfront to celebrate the end of their drought.

3. History made in Final

With split fleet racing introduced due to weather conditions and course layout, SailGP began the weekend with two groups for the first time ever.

The format was used in Auckland after the horror crash between the Black Foils and DS Automobiles France but the primary aim remains having 13 F50s on the start line.

In Nova Scotia, that meant two teams from each group would advance to a first-ever four-boat Final. It lived up to its billing.

Four wide at Mark 1, Los Gallos and Artemis eventually pulled clear with Explora Journeys Swiss taking P3 to end Australia’s recent dominance.

4. Brazil tests new line-up

Prior to the weekend, Mubadala Brazil announced a ‘trial’ re-shuffle on their F50.

Double Olympic gold medalist Martine Grael has been the team’s driver since the South Americans entered SailGP in 2024 but switched with Brit Paul Goodison who ordinarily sits behind her as strategist.

Martine Grael crosses the Mubadala Brazil F50 during the Canada Sail Grand Prix

Goodison, himself a gold medalist in the laser class at the 2008 Games in Beijing, has winning experience in Halifax. He won the 2009 Laser World Championship in the city and looked to be off to a good start with a P4 in Race 1A.

But technical difficulties on Day 2 prematurely ended the Brazilians’ weekend. It remains to be seen whether the trial will continue in Portsmouth next month.

5. Brits will be back for home event

Day 2 began with drama as Emirates GBR crashed down in their warm-up, breaking their wing and steering wheel, resulting in a watching brief. Thankfully, no athletes were hurt.

Driver Dylan Fletcher says the 2025 Season Champions will be ready to return to the start line on July 25-26 for the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth.

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He said: “It’s obviously very disappointing to not have raced but we are very thankful that the SailGP tech team do such a great job and have a bank of spares, so I’m sure the boat will be fighting fit for Portsmouth.

“We’ve had a real rollercoaster of a season so far but hopefully we will be back on the up and putting on a great show for the home fans.”

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