5 Things You Need To Know About The Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix Grand Final
Your ultimate preview of this weekend’s SailGP Grand Final in the Middle East
Published 11/27/2025
So it all comes down to this. The 2025 SailGP Championship will be decided at the Mubadala Sail Grand Prix Grand Final presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
After 11 events at iconic venues across the globe, the winner will be decided after six fleet races and a winner-takes-all Grand Final between the three highest-placed teams.
Here’s everything you need to know…
1. All To Play For In Championship Chase
Four teams can still qualify for Sunday’s Grand Final: New Zealand, Emirates Great Britain, BONDS Flying Roos and reigning Champions Los Gallos.
Four points separate Spain in 4th and Australia in 3rd. If Diego Botín’s crew are to defend their title, they must finish ahead of Tom Slingsby’s team by at least four points.
Speaking ahead of Abu Dhabi, Slingsby said: “We’re probably 60% of the way there. There’s still a fair chance we can be knocked out. If we have a good event, we should be fine – but we’ve got a bit more work to do than we’d hoped.”
2. Brand-New Final Venue
For the first time in SailGP history, the Grand Final will take place at a new venue, having previously been hosted in San Francisco during each of the last four seasons.
That should pose an interesting challenge for the 12 teams across the weekend, not least because it is an extremely tight course with little room for maneuver up against a tight seawall.
Speaking ahead of the final, SailGP presenter Lisa Darmanin said: “It’s not like you can run out of a boundary; you’re hitting a wall. So I think the compression we’re going to see, especially where the grandstand is, is generally where the wind funnels.
“But it’s one of those courses where the geography surrounding the race area becomes part of the tactics, compared to an open course where there’s just ocean and the wind comes at you clean. There will be little nuances throughout the course.”
3. New Wing Configuration Introduced
Another factor the fleet will contend with is the introduction of a brand-new 27.5 meter wing for the first time after extensive testing concluded in Cádiz.
Explaining what teams can expect, SailGP lead commentator Todd Harris said: “The 29m wing is quite big for the new T-foils. They’ve been trying to figure out how to design the sections to create a smaller wing.
“The testing went really well in Cádiz, which is why they’ve been able to bring it on so quickly for a venue that’s expected to be slightly lighter than what you’d want for a 24-meter all-purpose wing.
I love that they have options now. I think what makes it nice is - like in golf - having a hybrid club in your bag to give you better performance. I know a lot of people compare SailGP at times to Formula 1 and the different tires they use on different tracks, whether it’s rain or dry. I just think it gives teams another opportunity.”
4. U.S. SailGP Team’s Excellent Middle East Record
Light wind conditions are expected in Abu Dhabi this weekend, which could make foiling tricky.
The U.S. SailGP Team has done well in lighter air conditions this season, starting the campaign with a P3 at the Dubai Sail Grand Prix – another Middle East venue – before more recently picking up three P4s at the Switzerland Grand Prix.
Strategist Andrew Campbell said of potential conditions: “I think everyone’s right to expect light-air conditions, and we’re right to feel like it’s potentially going to be short-handed.
“But that’s just how the preparation’s going, and we’re getting ready for that. The team’s ready for anything. We’re ready for a little more breeze and to get after it, but we’re going to treat these conditions exactly as they are and use them as preparation for next season.”
5. A Familiar Face…And One Less Familiar!
The U.S. SailGP Team further strengthened its roster ahead of next season with the signing of Harry Melges IV, who joined the team this week in Abu Dhabi.
Melges arrives with an impressive resume — named the 2021 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year and winner of both the 2025 TP52 World Championship and the overall season title.
While Harry won’t be on the water this weekend, you may have seen a familiar face that will be. Check the U.S. SailGP Team Instagram channel to find out more…
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