REPORT: U.S. SailGP Team P2 overnight in windy conditions in Portsmouth

Catch up on everything that went on during Day 1 of the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix

Published 07/25/2026

The Black Foils and Artemis are the overnight group leaders after a dramatic first day of group racing at the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix.

New Zealand, Sweden, the U.S. SailGP Team and NorthStar have one foot in the Final overnight, with two more races each on Super Sunday.

Earlier in the week came the news that the fleet would be split into two for this event and potentially the rest of the 2026 Season. The U.S. SailGP Team was placed in Group B along with Artemis SailGP, Explora Journeys Swiss, Germany presented by Deutsche Bank, DS Automobiles Team France & Emirates Great Britain.

The winners of each fleet race collected five points while fifth place was awarded a single point. Those in P6 or P7 did not claim any points.

The U.S. SailGP Team leads Artemis SailGP Team at Mark 1 in Portsmouth

Day 1 on the South Coast began with a classic. Mubadala Brazil rolled over the top of NorthStar at Mark 1 but it was the Canadians who took control from there despite the close attention of Los Gallos.

Close attention that remained until the final mark where Diego Botín’s crew - despite having more speed - could not find a way around Giles Scott’s team.

Race B1 brought the drama from the word go, with Artemis SailGP and the U.S. SailGP Team crossing the start line at the same time, with Explora Swiss sandwiched between while gaining speed.

From there, the U.S. SailGP Team built what was at one stage a 300-meter lead. That was gradually chipped away at by the brilliant Swedes, but Taylor Canfield delivered a masterclass to hold off Nathan Outteridge and take the win.

The U.S. SailGP Team wins Race B1 at the 2026 Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix

For the second race in a row in Group A, NorthStar shot out of the blocks, exceeding 90kph. At Gate 2, Red Bull Italy was penalized for not giving room to the Black Foils.

It looked for all the world like successive Canadian wins until the final rounding. NorthStar dramaticaly fell off the foils, parking up and handing the win to Spain. Several boats passed with Giles Scott’s team only able to secure P5.

Sweden impressive debut season continued in Race B2, going three wide with DS Automobiles France and Explora Swiss at M1.

The U.S. SailGP Team and Switzerland jostled for position throughout the race but it was the Swedes and Outteridge who took maximum points. The Swiss and the U.S. SailGP Team, were next home after seeing off the challenge of Germany.

Race A3 saw the Black Foils hold off the Canadians and the BONDS Flying Roos - enduring an uncharacteristically slow day - in a premonition of the overnight standings in Group A.

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2026 Great Britain Race Poster

It had been a day to forget for Emirates GBR until the final race, but the hosts - roared on by more than 10,000 fans in the grandstand - were not done yet. Level with Germany at the start line, they took control when Erik Kosegarten-Heil’s crew almost capsized. Only incredible reactions spared the German team a spectacular crash after getting too high.

When Switzerland went out of bounds, the U.S. SailGP Team pounced, taking P3 having started at the back. The two teams tussled throughout but Canfield and co. got the job done to finish P2 in Group B overnight.

Racing resumes on Super Sunday at 4.30pm BST with all to play for. Click here to find out how to watch SailGP.

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