Weekend Guide: Rio Sail Grand Prix
Everything you need to know ahead of the Rio Sail Grand Prix in one place!
Published 04/10/2026
The inaugural ENEL Rio Sail Grand Prix brings the fleet to South America for the first time in SailGP history, kicking off the Americas leg of the SailGP Season.
Here’s everything you’re going to need to know to follow along…
When is the Rio Sail Grand Prix?
The ENEL Rio Sail Grand Prix will take place on Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12.Â
Racing will begin at 3pm local time on both days. To find out what time that is in your region, click here.Â
What will the weather be like for the Rio Sail Grand Prix?
After light air conditions in the most recent event of the SailGP season in Sydney, there should be more breeze in Rio. Temperatures are expected to be in the region of 82-84°F.
Who will be racing at the Rio Sail Grand Prix?
We’re almost back to a full complement on the start line, with the DS Automobiles France team rejoining the fleet following their collision with New Zealand Black Foils in Event No.2 in Auckland.
However, this event comes too soon for Peter Burling’s crew, with SailGP Technologies working hard to repair the Kiwis’ boat.
How does a SailGP Event work?Â
The entire fleet takes part in seven fleet races across Saturday (4) and Sunday (3). Points are awarded based on position with 10 going to each race winner, all the way to 1 point for 10th. Anyone placed 11th or lower gets zero points.
After seven races, the three teams with the most points contest a winner-takes-all Final.Â
Event points are then distributed based on the same criteria, with the event winner adding 10 to their seasonal tally, P2 taking 9 points, P3 taking 8 points and so on.
What happened at the Sydney Sail Grand Prix?
The U.S. SailGP Team claimed its first event win since 2023 and its first under the current ownership group, beating Emirates GBR and Los Gallos - the last two seasonal Champions - in the Final.
Light air conditions meant teams were reduced to four crew members to get weight off the boats. Crucially, the U.S. SailGP Team got foiling at the same time as the Brits in the Final, to own Mark One. From there, Taylor Canfield and co. never looked back, crossing the finish line without another boat in sight.
2026 Rolex SailGP Championship Standings
After three events, it’s reigning Champions Emirates GBR (28pts) who sits atop the standings – but it’s tight.
Three-time winners the BONDS Flying Roos (25pts) are hot on the Brits’ heels, while the U.S. SailGP Team (20 pts) is perched nicely in P3 after winning last time out in Perth.
How can I follow the Rio Sail Grand Prix?Â
As always, we’ll be running a Live Blog throughout the weekend, bringing you all the action and reaction from on the ground in Rio.
2026 Enel Rio Sail Grand Prix
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