5 Things You Need To Know About Saint-Tropez
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this week’s ROCKWOOL France Sail Grand Prix
Published 09/9/2025
SailGP Season 5 steps up in intensity with three events in just four weeks - kicking off with the ROCKWOOL France Sail Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez.
For the U.S. SailGP Team, it’s the chance to build on Saturday's impressive start in Sassnitz and get among the points once more. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of a week on the French Riviera…
U.S. returns to scene of previous success
Having come close on several occasions, the U.S. SailGP Team claimed its first-ever event win in Saint-Tropez back in Season 3.
Current crew members Andrew Campbell, Hans Henken and Mac Agnese were all on the boat as they beat out New Zealand and Emirates Great Britain to claim victory in the south of France.
Conditions on Saturday were incredibly windy, with teams utilizing the shortest available 18m wing. But Sunday brought a complete change of circumstance with foiling virtually impossible in low winds.
Reflecting on that win, Hans Henken said: “Having gotten super close at previous events and then obviously having lots of events just after that, getting over the hump brought a lot of satisfaction.
“It was all the hard work coming together, finally putting together a complete event. At the end of the day, that felt really good.”
Beware the Mistral!
The aforementioned conditions in Saint-Tropez have the potential to be at either end of the spectrum, thanks in no small part to the Mistral.
The Mistral is a strong, cold, and often very dry wind that blows from the north or northwest through the Rhône Valley and out into the Mediterranean, mainly affecting southern France.
Its impact on racing in the Mediterranean - particularly at venues like Saint-Tropez - should not be underestimated. Expect sustained, high-speed winds blowing hard over flat water, ideal for high-speed boat racing.
The race course map for the ROCKWOOL France Sail Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez
For that reason, it’s something flight controller Hans is relishing tackling. He said: “It’s a really challenging but rewarding course because you get two different wind directions - you get the light sea breeze from the Med, or you get the really windy Mistral from the land.
“The Mistral is not unpredictable, but when it comes, it comes through fast and quick and usually lasts no longer than a day and a half. Saint-Tropez is a fantastic venue for these boats. It’s surrounded by land almost 300 degrees, so it’s great spectating, really close to shore.”
Can French continue momentum in front of home fans?
Quentin Delapierre and France SailGP Team celebrate winning in Sassnitz
We’ve seen big, partisan crowds play a significant role in teams’ successes throughout Season 5 of SailGP.
In Sassnitz, Erik Heil’s Germany SailGP Team presented by Deutsche Bank almost secured a Final spot after going 1-7-7-6-7-3-8, narrowly missing out by just three points.
At the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, hometown favorites Dylan Fletcher and Emirates GBR made it all the way to the Final, only to be beaten by Peter Burling and New Zealand in Portsmouth.
Having overcome a practice incident to win the Germany Sail Grand Prix, can Quentin Delapierre and France put on a show in front of their home support on the Côte d’Azur?
Will the speed record fall, again?!
The long-standing SailGP speed record was set by France in Saint-Tropez back in 2023 as Delapierre’s crew hit 99.94km/hr.
But that figure was finally toppled as ROCKWOOL Denmark hit 103.93 km/hr in Sassnitz last time out - one of three teams, including the U.S. SailGP Team, to exceed a century.
With conditions on the French Riviera lending themselves to fast racing, could we be in for another record? France driver Delapierre certainly hopes so, saying: “When someone takes something from you, you want to take it back!”
New high-speed rudders will be introduced for the first time. Are the stars aligning?
Championship standings hotting up!
Just three points separate the top three teams in the Championship standings, with four events remaining on the SailGP Season 5 calendar.
BONDS Flying Roos are top of the pile on 61 points, tied with neighbors New Zealand. Just three points back are Emirates GBR, who reached the Final in Sassnitz after the U.S. SailGP Team donated part of its hull to enable them to race.
But don’t rule out reigning champions Spain either. Diego Botín’s crew are two points behind the Brits, while France (47 pts) and NorthStar Canada (44 pts) will both have designs on making the Grand Final when the season climaxes in Dubai.
One thing is for sure: a big showing in Saint-Tropez will only aid those teams’ ambitions.
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