WATCH: 8 Most dramatic moments of the 2026 SailGP Season
Recap some of the season’s most breathtaking moments ahead of Dubai
Published 11/5/2026
The 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship won’t be forgotten in a hurry.
From remarkable comebacks to historic, record-breaking moments and more, it’s the season that’s had it all. Drama has been the buzzword and with two events to go, we’re surely set for more.
Here are eight of the most dramatic moments of the 2026 Season. Sit back and enjoy!
1. Collision one minute into the season
Talk about starting with a bang!
The 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship was barely a minute old when we had our first dramatic coming together in Perth. Laying up to Gate 2, Explora Journeys Swiss and the Black Foils came together. The Swiss had right of way but the damage sustained by both F50s prematurely ended their weekends.
2. From the farm to the F50
Iain Jensen’s off-season switch from reigning Champions Emirates GBR to the BONDS Flying Roos was one of the biggest transfers of the winter. But ‘Goobs’ was forced to wait for his debut after suffering an injury in practice ahead of Perth.
In stepped the vastly experienced Glenn Ashby, 48, who was called by Tom Slingsby while working his farm in Victoria on the other side of the country. The Olympic silver medalist stepped up to help the Roo Crew deliver a 2nd-place finish in their home event.
3. Subbing the super sub
Ashby’s season was not over when Jensen returned for event three in Sydney.
He joined DS Automobiles Team France on loan to help cover for Leigh McMillan’s own injury in Bermuda. But the veteran trimmer was struck down with a double tibia-fibula fracture while crossing at speed. A cruel twist for someone who was part of the 2017 Emirates New Zealand team that won the America’s Cup at the same venue.
4. BONDS Flying Roos take a dive
The 2026 Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix was an unpredictable event in many ways. And the drama began in practice on the Hudson River when, under the watchful eye of Lady Liberty, the Roos came crashing down during practice after suffering a hydraulic issue.
5. Germany pull off masterful recovery
As the European leg of the season began in Portsmouth with the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, Germany SailGP Team, presented by Deutsche Bank, pulled off a spectacular save on the Solent when they looked to be moments from capsizing.
Having rounded M1 at more than 90km/hr, Erik Kosegarten-Heil’s time tried to take the left-hand turn at Horse Sand Fort but ended up moments from catastrophe instead.
6. Canfield clinches it at the line!
We’re biased, of course, but has there been a more dramatic finish this season?
With one leg to go in Valencia, Slingsby’s BONDS Flying Roos looked set to clinch another event win to build on an increasingly impressive season. But, laying up to the final mark rounding, the U.S. SailGP Team’s decision to sail slightly further and dive inside the Aussies paid off with Slingsby left to lament the decision to afford their opponents the inside line.
7. Near miss in Sassnitz
It’s been a season of collisions and there was very nearly a three-boat incident in Sassnitz at the ROCKWOOL Germany Sail Grand Prix.
With Australia crossing NorthStar and Artemis on an upwind leg, Nathan Outteridge’s quick thinking paid off for the Swedes who darted between the two, in doing so avoiding a potentially nasty clash and moving ahead.
8. Los Gallos’ photo finish in Valencia
Race B2 at the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia was an instant classic. Approaching the finish line, there was nothing between Los Gallos and ROCKWOOL Racing. Cheered on by a crowd of thousands on the shoreline, Diego Botín and the hosts snatched a very popular win by the finest of margins.
What is your most dramatic moment of the season? 🤔 💥
Make your selection from our shortlist of highlights!
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