As SailGP returns to Bermuda’s iconic Great Sound for a fourth time, here are five key talking points you need to know ahead of racing.
Teams on fire, teams under pressure
Four events into the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship a natural order is emerging, and sat comfortably at the top are the BONDS Flying Roos. Tom Slingsby’s three-time champions are counting an impressive 2, 1, 5, 1 scoreline, handing them a healthy seven-point lead over current title holders Emirates GBR with the U.S. SailGP Team a further point behind. Many of the usual suspects are in the top half of the table, but it’s the likes of Germany by Deutsche Bank, Red Bull Italy, NorthStar and Switzerland that find themselves under pressure a third into the season.
Los Gallos mount defense, GBR look to bounce back
Despite the early-season setback in Perth, Spain’s Los Gallos are on a roll. Diego Botin’s outfit were winners the last time SailGP took to the Great Sound during Season 4, and will head into this weekend buoyed by a string of top results in 2026. Reigning SailGP champions Emirates GBR won in Bermuda in spectacular fashion back in Season 2 but an uncharacteristic last-place finish in Rio last month will see them start with an even higher level of expectation than before. The only other team to have won a Grand Prix in Bermuda? You guessed it - the BONDS Flying Roos.
Athete roster shake-ups
With the Black Foils confirmed to be out of action for at least the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix and the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, strategist Liv Mackay will be joining DS Automobiles Team France again in place of Manon Audinet. Super sub Glenn Ashby will also stand in for injured wing trimmer Leigh McMillan Meanwhile, Black Foils grinder Marcus Hansen (above) has been loaned to ROCKWOOL Racing to cover for Luke Payne for the next two Grands Prix. Check out the full crew line-ups here.
A weekend of two halves
The weather gods are planning to keep the teams on their toes this weekend with a varied - and at times chaotic - forecast. SailGP weather guru Chris Bedford is predicting a stable day of fast foiling on Saturday, followed by a lighter, more patchy Sunday. In SailGP unpredictable weather can catch teams out - or provide them with a golden opportunity to pounce.
Feisty practice racing predicted
Before we get to racing proper, the teams will hit the water at 1400 ADT - 1700 UTC - on Friday for the official practice race session. The forecast is looking punchy - so much so that the call has already been made to split the fleet into two groups, and use the smallest 18m wings. Two seasons ago the U.S. SailGP Team were on the receiving end of one of the league's most dramatic capsizes during practice racing - and there's every chance it could happen to another team. The only place you can follow the practice racing is on the SailGP live blog, exclusive to SailGP+ members - so sign up now!
Tickets to the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix are sold out, but you can find out how to follow the action from wherever you are in the world HERE.
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