The Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team has triumphed at the SailGP Championship Grand Final in Abu Dhabi, securing their victory with a decisive strategic maneuver on the second downwind leg of the race. The team navigated skillfully to pass the Black Foils team from New Zealand and built a substantial lead on a course that favored their positioning.
A standout aspect of this season’s Grand Final was the impressive foiling percentage achieved by the British team, which reached 98.3%. This performance outshone their competitors, including the Australian and New Zealand teams, who struggled with lower pressure during key moments of the race.
In addition to the championship title, the British team claimed a substantial prize of $2 million, bringing their total earnings for Season 5 to over $4 million. The second day of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix Season Grand Final, which took place on November 30, 2025, featured stronger winds than the previous day, allowing teams to foil more consistently despite some occasional setbacks.
Rockwool Denmark, led by skipper Nicholai Sehested, emerged as the winner of the Abu Dhabi event, maintaining their top spot in the leaderboard. Red Bull Italy made a notable achievement by securing their first-ever podium position, while the French team, Les Bleus, claimed the bronze medal.
The Australian team faced a challenging day, narrowly avoiding elimination as they were pushed down to last place. The Spanish team, Los Gallos, fought hard for a win that would have allowed them to defend their Season 4 Grand Final title but fell short against Denmark and France.
The Grand Final showcased intense competition from the start, with Australia initially taking the lead before the British team skillfully maneuvered themselves into a dominant position. Their pivotal moment came at Gate 3, where they capitalized on a shift in pressure to surge ahead. This strategic advantage proved insurmountable, with the British winning by over 100 meters.
As tensions rose, New Zealand experienced a setback as they dropped off their foils near the end, enabling Australia to finish strong in second place. Skipper Dylan Fletcher praised his team’s ability to seize opportunities throughout the race, leading to their remarkable win.
With strong performances throughout the season, the British team topped the earnings table, followed by New Zealand and Australia. Looking ahead, Season 6 of SailGP is set to kick off on January 17, 2026, in Perth, Western Australia. In a sign of ongoing developments in the sport, a new team, Artemis Racing, was also launched in Abu Dhabi, with hopes for an exciting future as the transfer season approaches and teams prepare for the upcoming season.