REPORT: Los Gallos shine in front of home fans in Valencia

The U.S. SailGP Team goes 2-3-3 in Spain to sit in contention at halfway

Published 09/5/2026

Los Gallos put on a show in front of their supporters at the first ever Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia, ending Day 1 top of Group B – just ahead of the U.S. SailGP Team.

Two fleet race wins and a P2 meant Diego Botín’s crew accumulated 14 points on Day 1, ahead of what looks set to be a three-way fight with ROCKWOOL Racing (12 points) and the U.S. SailGP Team (10 points) to make the Final on Super Sunday.

Taylor Canfield and the Crew posted 2-3-3 finishes thanks to strong starts during Day 1 on the Mediterranean.

Group B began the weekend and, in a premonition of what was to come, Los Gallos nailed the start with the U.S. SailGP Team in hot pursuit on the reach to Mark 1. NorthStar were penalized for being on-course side (OCS) early and that typified their day after impressive recent showings.

Ahead of the final mark and with Los Gallos already enjoying a victory fly-by, the U.S. SailGP Team saw off the threat of France, Canada and Denmark to pick up four points.

The start to Group A’s day was delayed when Artemis requested time to sort the rigging on their jib. In the end, Nathan Outteridge’s team - who had been without their driver during practice due to injury - had to sit out the race.

Red Bull Italy took full advantage of the Swedes’ absence to secure the first of two fleet race wins on Day 1, holding off the BONDS Flying Roos at the final mark to take maximum points.

While conditions changed between races, one thing that did not was Spain’s supremacy. Closely followed by the U.S. SailGP Team and ROCKWOOL once more, it was the Spaniards out in front at M1.

Even after falling off the foils approaching the final mark, Botín’s team secured the win with a dramatic photo finish over ROCKWOOL who had cut their lead impressively. The U.S. SailGP Team came home in P3.

Emirates GBR need points if they’re going to defend their 2025 Season crown in the Middle East this winter. In Race A2 they missed the chance to secure a big win when Australia rolled over the top of them out of Mark 1.

The Aussies had total control from there, with driver Tom Slingsby celebrating his birthday with a stylish win over the Brits. Artemis bounced back impressively to secure P3.

Group B’s top three were the quickest out of a compact start box in Race B3, with ROCKWOOL Racing fastest to M1. But Spain and the U.S. SailGP Team pulled away first. Not to be deterred, Nicolai Sehested regained the lead when the Crew fell off the foils and never looked back.

The day’s final race saw Phil Robertson and Italy lead from start to finish. Emirates GBR looked to be in line for some precious points but fell from P3 to P5 at the final mark with Slingsby and the Aussies sneaking into P4 – an extra point that could prove invaluable in the final reckoning.

Racing resumes at 1.30pm CEST on Sunday with two teams from each group progressing to the winner-takes-all Final. Don’t forget to follow along with our Live Blog throughout the day.

Day 1: Group A

1. BONDS Flying Roos – 11 pts

2. Red Bull Italy – 10 pts

3. Emirates GBR – 7 pts

4. Explora Journeys Swiss – 6 pts

5. Artemis SailGP Team – 6 pts

6. Mubadala Brazil – 3 pts

7. Black Foils – 2 pts

Group B

1. Los Gallos – 14 pts

2. ROCKWOOL Racing – 12 pts

3. U.S. SailGP Team – 10 pts